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The Last War 

OR 

The Triumph of the English Tongue 


A Story of the Twenty-sixth Century, compiled from the 
Official Notes of Newman, Reporter to the 
President of United America 


BY 

S. W. ODELL 

h 

Author of “The Lives and Campaigns of Grant and Lee,” 
“Atlanteans,” Etc. 


CHICAGO 

CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY 

56 Fifth Avenue 


Ay 

y? k 

V 

o 


20906 


Copyright, 1898 
By S. W. ODELL 

'HUB COPIES RECEIVED- 



Unity Library, No. 89. Monthly, $3.00 a year. December, 1898. 
Entered at the post-office, Chicago, as second-class matter. 


K> a-e. c T ‘*1*8* 


c 


THE LAST WAR 


CHAPTER I. 

COMMOTION AT THE CAPITAL. 

“What is the cause of this commotion, Welling- 
ton?” 

“The arrival of the delegates to the Congress of 
the Allied Nations of English-Speaking Peoples. 
Where have you been that you have not read the 
news?” 

“I have been rusticating in the mountains. We 
had such fine sport fishing and hunting that wc 
gave no attention to news. But why do they come 
together? It is not their regular time for ses- 
sions.” 

“Rumors of war! The Great Bear is growling. 
Indeed, the news bulletins state that he has 
ordered all English-speaking people to leave his 
dominions forthwith and that he is mobilizing a 
great army near Belgrade. Professor Wallace has 
announced, in the Calendar, that he will devote 
his first three lectures to discussing the causes 
5 


6 


THE LAST WAR 


of the present international dispute. Come, it is 
almost time for the first lecture.” 

The young men who had been thus conversing 
turned from watching the concourse of people in 
the streets below them and ascended the marble 
steps leading up to the great portal of the lecture 
hall, devoted to history and sociology, of the 
American University at Washington. Pausing on 
the broad platform before the door, they turned 
and again looked down upon the city. 

The university buildings stand on the crest of a 
high hill, overlooking the Mississippi river, anu 
command a magnificent view for many miles above 
and below, along the stream. Across the valley, 
on a high plateau, stood the vast palace, the cap- 
itol of United America. The great river, bend- 
ing with majestic sweep around its bordering 
bluffs, with white villages nestling along its shores, 
and with great woodlands of park-like arrangement 
touching it at points, the tree-covered island in 
the midst of the stream, the vast bridges, as wide 
as streets, which spanned the water, all lying 
beneath a hazy September sun, presented a scene 
worthy of admiration. Certainly it deserved the 
patriotic love of those who acknowledged it as the 
center of government. Washington, while it is 
devoted solely to the business of the government, 
has been so well laid out that it presents the 
appearance of a park. The wide streets, clean and 
well swept, are straight and paved; the walks are 


THE LAST WAR 


7 


bordered with trees; palaces of stone are set in 
the midst of beautiful gardens, except by the 
street devoted to trades, where the massive struc- 
tures closely line the walks; fountains, f^d by 
artesian streams, play in the gardens; the elevated 
roads and sidewalks are of the most modern con- 
struction and are almost noiseless; the electric 
conduits are cabled and concealed. All the terri- 
tory within ten miles square is public property and 
occupied only on leasehold tenures. By this 
means government cares for all structures. The 
architecture and gardening are most beautiful and 
useful. Unlike the more ancient city, situated 
on the Potomac, the new city has been carefully 
and symmetrically built, and is indeed the center 
of civilization. The capitol building is said to be 
the last wonder of the world. 

Such was the city on that September day, in 
the year 2565, when Arthur Wellington and his 
friend, James Newman, stood in the university 
portal and looked down upon the throng of people 
walking across the central bridge and gathering, 
restless and expectant, around the great palace 
where congress was sitting. 

“Great America!” exclaimed Wellington, as they 
turned again to enter the hall. “This is a city 
such as our fathers dreamed of; but, as Wallace 
says, it is the result of natural law.” 

“How?” 

“Natural law consolidated America. Natural 


8 


THE LAST WAR 


law compelled the removal of the nation’s archives 
to the heart of the country, where they would be 
safe from destruction in foreign wars and where 
they could be reached by the people with least 
expenditure of time and money. But there goes 
the chime! We should hurry.” 

They rapidly traversed the mosaic floor of the 
hallway, stepped into an elevator and were lifted 
to the third floor, where they went forth into a 
throng of students who were waiting at the door 
of the lecture room of Professor Wallace. They 
were pleasantly received and exchanged greetings 
with several young gentlemen and ladies, who, 
like themselves, had just returned from vacation. 

Presently a bell tinkled and the great sliding 
doors rapidly opened, drawn back by dynamic 
rollers. The students, forming into four lines, 
rapidly and quietly marched to desks set in a semi- 
circular position around a raised platform at the 
end of the lecture room, and stood until, at a 
signal of the professor’s hand, they were per- 
mitted to sit. The room occupied one wing of the 
main lecture hall. From its broad, low windows 
could be seen the river valley above and the 
capitol, beyond the city park. It was pleasant, 
well lighted and tastefully decorated with paint- 
ings and statuary, while maps and charts of the 
subjects treated by the professor in his lectures 
were arranged on the walls. A vast globe, fully 


THE LAST WAR 


9 


ten feet in diameter, occupied one corner of tlie 
room. 

The white-bearded professor sat in a high- 
backed chair on the raised platform. In front of 
him was a small reading desk. He looked down 
upon his pupils with a grave, kindly air, and for 
a moment was silent. The quiet, respectful de- 
meanor of all denoted the interest teacher and 
student had each in the other. White cravat and 
white cuffs relieved the sober shade of black 
worn by the former. The students were dressed 
in uniform. The young men wore neat, gray suits 
and white shirts and black ties and shoes; the 
young ladies were uniformly dressed in gray, the 
robes being neatly but plainly made. Ornaments 
were not seen. 

The blonde type of humanity prevailed, the 
Anglo-American type, so called. With few excep- 
tions, dark-blue eyes, brown, wavy hair, regular 
features, high foreheads and oval faces, set on 
strong, graceful necks and broad shoulders, pre- 
vailed. But here and there, darker skins, round 
faces, dark eyes and smaller busts showed the 
ancient blood of the Latin nations, not yet ab- 
sorbed by the stronger flow of Anglo-Saxon fluid. 

Presently the professor took up a manuscript 
from the reading desk and arranged its pages. 
Then he adjusted his gold-rimmed spectacles and, 
again looking upon his pupils, said: 

“Students: This school term opens with the 


10 


THE LAST WAR 


beginning of a new era in the world’s history, if 
I read rightly the signs of the times. I belie vc; 
that the beginning of the end of that struggle 
which, for a thousand years, has been growing 
acute, has come, and that the next few weeks, per- 
haps days, may see the nations of the earth in 
death-grapple for existence. The struggle be- 
tween light and darkness, liberty and slavery, 
religion and bigotry, which has lasted since the 
human race sprang into existence, will reach a 
crisis.” 

He paused a moment to allow the gravity of his 
words to sink into the minds of his hearers. 

“You noticed a commotion in the streets,” he 
continued, “and that the people were gathering 
around the capitol. You have read that it was 
caused by the arrival of the delegates of the Allied 
English-Speaking Nations, called together in ex- 
traordinary session of congress. They come to- 
gether to consider a momentous problem, a mat- 
ter of the gravest nature. This matter is the im- 
pending conflict I have mentioned. Upon their 
decision will depend the inception of the most 
stupendous conflict of arms that ever has caused 
or shall cause the earth to vibrate by its vio- 
lence. For the onward march of enlightened 
civilization has met inertia; it can neither go 
around nor through — it must crush and destroy 
and pass over. I have seen this contest ap- 
proaching during the fifty years of my ac- 


THE LAST WAR 


ii 


tive life and have made the study of its causes 
the subject of a series of lectures. But events are 
now moving so rapidly that we shall not consume 
much of the term with these lectures. I have 
prepared, however, three outline discourses, and 
shall deliver them on the first, second and third 
days of this week, in order that you may have a 
general idea of the subject to he considered by 
this extraordinary session of the Congress of Allied 
Nations. I desire that as many of you as possible 
attend the sittings of the congress. You will 
learn much. 

“We shall now proceed with the first discourse, 
which will be mainly descriptive of the conditions 
as they now are, the territories of the contestants,' 
their relative strength and the issues involved. 
To-morrow we shall deal with the subject histor- 
ically. On the day after to-morrow we shall con- 
sider, somewhat, the social progress of humanity, 
particularly during the last five hundred years.” 


CHAPTEE II. 


THE POWERS OF THE WORLD. 

The professor paused and arose. Turning to a 
large map of the world hanging on the wall at the 
rear of the platform, he called the attention of the 
pupils to it with a motion of his hand. All 
studied it in silence for a moment. There were 
hut three colors on the map. Pale green repre- 
sented the seas. Light red covered all of America, 
all of Europe, from the western coast to a line 
drawn irregularly northward from the Adriatic 
sea to the Baltic sea; all of Afiica, except Abys- 
sinia and a large territory around the great lakes 
of central Africa; all of Asia south of the Hima- 
laya mountains, the Yellow river, and east of 
Persia; and Australia, together with the thousands 
of islands of the Polynesian archipelago. Yellow 
covered the remainder of Europe, Africa, Asia and 
the Japan islands. But along the western bor- 
ders of the yellow surface in Europe and on the 
Japan islands were spots tinted with red. 

“Notice particularly the shading of this map/' 
said the professor. “I have had it drawn thus in 
order that you may have a perfect concept of the 
present political divisions of the world. The pale 
red indicates the English-speaking world. The 


12 


THE LAST WAR 


13 


pale green indicates the seas. The yellow indi- 
cates the many nations now under the influence of 
the Czar-pope, Emperor of Greater Russia and pro-, 
tector of Turkish Asia and Mohammedan Abys- 
sinia. The English-speaking peoples, however, are 
not confined to the limits of the red, but wher- 
ever you note the red spots on the yellow there 
you will find large populations using the world- 
wide language. In the yellow are many languages 
and many religions. These red spots on the yel- 
low are now causing the commotion likely to re- 
sult in war. 

“We will now look upon another map.” 

He touched a knob on his reading desk. In- 
stantly the map which he had been describing 
rolled upward into a case, leaving a similar map 
iianging in its place. This contained several col- 
ors. All of America was shown in blue, with 
black lines subdividing it into the various states of 
the great republic. All of Europe west of a line 
drawn from the Adriatic sea to the Baltic sea 
northwardly was colored red. All the remainder 
of Europe and all of Asia north of the Himalaya 
mountains and the Yellow river and west of the 
east line of Persia were tinted yellow. The re- 
mainder of Asia was tinted green. Australia and 
the islands of the archipelago were brown. Africa, 
except Abyssinia and the country around the 
lakes, which bore the yellow tint, was gray. The 
seas were light green. 


14 


THE LAST WAR 


“United America includes all the American con- 
tinent, both north and south,” continued the pro- 
fessor. “United Europe is tinted red and includes 
the British isles. The African Union is tinted 
gray and comprises all the states of Africa, in- 
cluding the colored peoples of central Africa, who 
are English-speaking, except Abyssinia, which is 
Mohammedan and Catholic. India, the great 
republic of Asia, is included within the green tint. 
Australia, the republic of islands, is brown. All 
these are English-speaking and are closely united 
under the title ‘The Allied Anglo-American Na- 
tions/ known commonly as the Anglo-American 
Alliance. The yellow tint indicates, as on the 
other map, the sphere of influence of the Emperor 
of Greater Russia, the Czar-pope of the world. 
But the dark lines within the yellow show the dif- 
ferent nations under his sway. Here, in Europe, 
are the Slavs and old Russians. Indeed, they pre- 
ponderate throughout Europe and Asia. Here, in. 
old China and Japan, are the Mongolians, the 
Buddhists in religion, and their kindred, the Mo- 
hammedan Turks and Arabs. The old Persians 
and Assyrians and other nations of similar origin 
occupy southeastern Asia and join hands with the 
Mohammedan and old Greek Catholics of Abys- 
sinia. It is is said that one hundred different dia- 
lects are spoken in this vast empire which 
acknowledges the supreme rule of the Czar-pope 
in temporal and spiritual affairs, except where the 


THE LAST WAR 


15 


fanatical Mohammedans refuse to he converted 
either by sword or book.” 

The professor now resumed his seat, took up his 
manuscript, and read: 

“The nations of the earth have become fewer in 
number as the civilizing influence of freedom has 
spread, but more notably so within the last five 
hundred years. After the breaking up of the great 
Roman empire, which embraced almost the whole 
of the nations known in history, a large number of 
small states formed governments and became na- 
tions, race and religion governing the division. 
The discovery of the new world and the enlight- 
ened age came together. The art of printing and the 
consequent dissemination of knowledge led to won- 
derful advances in civilization, wonderful progress 
in arts and in sciences, and wonderful breaking 
down of superstitions, bigoted manners and cus- 
toms, religions and institutions. Amongst no peo- 
ple did these arts and sciences make such progress 
as amongst the Anglo-Saxons and the nations 
which sprang from them or arose under the influ- 
ence of their manners and customs. 

“Having thoroughly absorbed the British isles, 
the English-speaking race peopled North America, 
Australia, India and South Africa. Having at their 
command a language of great flexibility and 
power of absorption, this race built up a literature 
whose scope exceeded all others, even if combined. 
Commerce and international intercourse became 


i6 


THE LAST WAR 


so vast and frequent that the world felt the need 
of a world-language. By reason of its common 
use throughout so many nations of the earth and 
by the travelers and residents who used it in 
nations whose tongue was different, the English 
language became finally the world-language, and 
so remained until in A. D. 2422 the Czar-pope 
issued a decree forbidding its use within his 
dominions. 

“The progress of the language accompanied the 
progress of the people who used it. AVe naturally 
consider America first, because it is our home, and, 
further, because it is the most powerful nation, as 
a nation, on earth at this time. The English- 
speaking people built up a powerful republic in 
the United States of America and a powerful empire 
in the Dominion of Canada, besides various minor 
colonies in the islands and smaller territories of 
the western hemisphere. These states, after many 
years, absorbed the remainder of America, the 
process of which I will treat in my second lecture. 
To-day, therefore, we behold a United America, 
built on the old constitution of the United States, 
the provisions of which have been copied in many 
cases, word for word, into the constitutions of 
other republics, and which without doubt have 
proved to be the elementary principles of true 
human liberty. United America consists of 185 
states, of which 105 are in North America and the 
remainder in South America, or on the islands at 


THE LAST WAR 


1 7 


the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico, of which Cuba 
is most important, and on the Hawaiian islands, 
the Samoan islands and Greenland. All of these 
states have constitutions, built on the provisions 
of the federal constitution, and are subdivided into 
counties and townships. United, liberty-loving, 
satisfied, because the people • govern themselves, 
the new American race has not only absorbed its 
old dissimilar elements and made them one grand 
system, but it has sent out into every land hosts 
of educators who have carried their sentiments 
into the whole world. 

“What we have said of America applies, with 
variations, to Australia, India and the republic of 
Africa. Those countries were colonized by Eng- 
lish-speaking people as far back as the seventeenth 
century; and, assisted by the mother country, Great 
Britain, until they became powerful in themselves, 
they too adopted free institutions and became hives 
whence issued swarms of educators. 

“In Europe the process was somewhat different, 
national sentiment and race prejudice being very 
strong there. Nevertheless liberty prevailed, mon- 
archies and empires became no more, and a con- 
federacy of nations was established, primarily to 
resist the immense empire of Russia, but, later, 
because the results were so good to all and people 
had become educated so highly that prejudice gave 
way. United Europe is the result. 


i8 


THE LAST WAR 


“I have deemed it necessary to say this much 
historically, at this time, in order that you may 
take into account the strength which union gives 
to people. This principle was followed when the 
English-speaking races united and intrusted their 
international policy to the control of the Allied 
Congress. In the approaching contest, therefore, 
we shall have on the side of truth and enlighten- 
ment five allied nations, of power sufficient to 
crush all opposition when once that power is called 
into action. 

“But in opposition to the allies we have the 
centralized power of a great military and spiritual 
despotism. The new Holy Empire, of which the 
Czar-pope is the head, ruling, with one iron hand 
holding a sword and the other holding the cross 
and the crescent, is a vast centralized autocracy, 
state and church being united. The incongruous 
blending of the religion of Christ with the re- 
ligions of Buddha and Mohammed, the terrific 
wars which enforced within his dominions the au- 
thority now held by the Emperor, fill the books of 
history of the last five hundred years with tales of 
slaughter and persecution almost indescribable. 
But they have resulted in the creation of an im- 
mense army and a navy sufficient to defy the 
united powers of the Allied Nations, and indeed 
sufficient to crush any one of them, unless we 
(except United America. 

“We will now consider the elements of strength 


THE LAST WAR 


19 


and the means of warfare of the two opposing 
powers of the world. For you have already re- 
ceived an intimation of the causes of the present 
conflict. In a sentence, the Emperor has de- 
termined to stop the dissemination of liberal ideas 
in his dominions, and it is believed he intends to 
crush Europe and India and establish his sway 
over the vast continent of Europe and Asia. The 
present commotion and the extra session of con- 
gress have been caused by a recent decree ex- 
pelling all English-speaking people from his 
dominions within ten days and confiscating all 
their property, accompanied by the mobilization of 
huge armies along the borders of Europe and 
India. It is further believed that the Abyssinian 
monarch, who holds his realms in fealty to the 
Emperor, has been incited to attack United Africa 
with the promise that it shall be added to his 
dominions. For he, also, has gathered an im- 
mense army and now stands threateningly on his 
borders waiting for a signal to proceed. 

“We have reliable estimates that the Czar-pope 
has now in arms on the borders of United Europe 
7,000,000 of men, on the borders of India 4,000,- 
000 and in Abyssinia 2,000,000, all well armed 
and equipped. For, while he has repressed liberal 
ideas and progress with his immense power, he 
has adopted the modern appliances of war. His 
dynamic cannon number 4,000 with the army in 
Europe, about 1,000 with the army in Asia and as 


20 


THE LAST WAR 


many more with the Abyssinians. Multiply these 
numbers by six and you have approximately th° 
number of the rapid-fire guns of smaller caliber. 
To every fifty men is an automobile war chariot, 
used for transport on the march and for charges 
and as fortalices in battle. Besides these there is 
in the transport service for carrying supplies a 
like number of automobile wagons. Accompany- 
ing the army is the vast air fleet of 4,000 war ves- 
sels in Europe and 1,000 each in Asia and Africa. 
Concentrating in the Mediterranean sea is the 
ocean fleet of 3,000 first-class men-of-war and 
twice that number of swift cruisers and torpedo 
boats, while on his Pacific coast another fleet half 
as large is watching the actions of India and Aus- 
tralia. Add to the army half as many more men 
of the second grade who are being armed, equipped 
and practiced, to take the places of those lost in 
battle, and you have the power of the emperor well 
in mind. 

“With what force will the allies oppose him? 
United Europe will he the first to feel his wrath. 
Her army of 3,000,000 men is now rapidly concen- 
trating upon Vienna. Her proportion of guns 
and war machines is about the same as that of the 
opposing army in Europe. Her air fleet numbers 
1,500 vessels. Her ocean fleet, now united with 
that of Africa, is about half as strong as that of 
the Emperor. India has 2,000,000 men under 
arms, with its proportionate number of war ves- 


THE LAST WAR 


21 


sels of all classes. Australia lias about the same 
strength as India. Africa has about the same 
strength as India, but will have its power opposed 
by the Abyssinians. America alone could place 
10,000,000 men under arms within thirty days, 
with air fleet and ocean fleet to match. But this 
war may be ended in thirty days, and hence the 
utmost that we could do would be to transfer to 
the aid of Europe 3,000,000 men with their guns, 
carriages and war machines, in time to aid the 
Europeans against their foe. We could probably 
do this within one week. Hence, if the European 
army could hold its ground one week, our re-en- 
forcements would enable the allies to take the 
offensive. The shrewd old Czar-pope, however, 
will spring suddenly and without warning. Should 
he crush the European army, it would be a serious 
matter for the allies. In one arm the allies excel, 
and that is in their long-range dynamic cannon. 
This arm, invented within the last twenty years, 
will, it is said, alone render the army using it in- 
vincible. It has a range of thirty miles and its 
shells have a bursting and rending power almost 
incalculable. The Emperor has nothing so power- 
ful, because he has not been able as yet to obtain 
information of the elements of the explosive gas 
with which its shells are projected. That com- 
bination is known only to the war office of United 
America, the inventor having patriotically given 
the invention to the government. Three hundred 


22 


THE LAST WAR 


of these guns have been placed with the European 
forces and 4,000 of them are ready for service in 
the arsenals of United America. The strongest 
guns of the enemy have a range of less than 
twenty miles, and their effective range is much 
less. It is to he hoped that no delay will be made 
in placing these engines of war near the enemy. 

“The choice of leaders for the respective armies 
is a most important matter. The leader of the 
allied armies must he a man of uncommon mold. 
The concentration of the various forces must be 
quick, decisive and overwhelming. In my judg- 
ment the only man in whom we can trust now is 
Mitchell, general of the American army and late 
commander of the allied army in the Indo- 
Mohammedan war, which compelled the treaty of 
peace of Teheran, ten years ago. I think he will 
receive the appointment. No other soldier of this 
day so well understands military science or knows 
how to use the modern arms with such power. 
General Ostrand now commands the European 
army near Vienna. General Maharal leads the 
Indian army. General Grenoble leads the Aus- 
tralians. General Bennett is commander of the 
African hosts. 

“Under the Emperor, General Dolgourousk 
holds chief command of the armies, and General 
Romanoff, brother to the Czar-pope, is second in 
command. General Zaral commands the Turko- 
Mongolians in Persia and Thibet, while General 


THE LAST WAR 


23 


Moudah, under King John, leads the Abyssinian 
troops. These are all veteran commanders and 
saw service in the Indo-Mohammedan war just 
mentioned. But, as all held subordinate positions 
then, we are not able to judge their merits. 

“The allied air fleet will be led, in all probabil- 
ity, by Captain Phoenix, he being the greatest liv- 
ing navigator of the atmosphere. Admiral Kens, 
being the ranking officer in the cccan fleet, will un- 
doubtedly command the allied fleets. 

“Having reviewed somewhat the power of the 
opponents, we shall close this lecture by predicting 
that the day is not far distant when the fall of the 
last autocracy and spiritual despotism of the world 
shall be seen. So perfect and swift have become 
the means of transportation that the world forces 
will come together with the speed of the cyclone, 
and with similar destructive power/’ 

He paused and closed his manuscript. As he 
dismissed the class he said: 

“Attend the sitting of congress, and to-morrow 
we shall, perhaps, have our minds clear upon the 
action to be taken, and can follow more readily 
the outline of history which I have prepared.” 


CHAPTER III. 


ANGLO-AMERICAN CONGRESS. 

After the lecture many of the students went to 
the capitol, and among them were Arthur Wei- 
ington and his friend, James Newman. The 
friends went on the elevated car, and were de- 
posited in a few moments at the station near the 
great steps leading up to the plaza on which the 
magnificent building stood. They mingled with a 
crowd of quiet, thoughtful men, who were dis- 
cussing the situation and watching the bulletin- 
board at the entrance of the palace. 

The news system of that day, while not so per- 
fect as now, was excellent. Hourly bulletins em- 
anated from the great news centers and were de- 
livered into the receptacles in every house within 
five minutes of their issue, through the pneumatic- 
tube system of mail delivery, which the govern- 
ment had adopted about one hundred years before, 
and which had been greatly improved. Besides 
the private news bulletins delivered hourly, there 
were in every public place and in every branch news 
office great bulletin-boards, upon which were in- 
stantaneously proj ected di spatches . received by tele- 
grapher photophone, and illustrations transferred 
by pictograph, or actual scenes as they were trans- 
piring by means of the spectroscope. 

24 


THE LAST WAR 


25 


At this moment the elevated bulletin-hoard, or 
receiver, contained a bird’s-eye view of a fortified 
city and a host of moving minute objects, under 
which was shown in large letters: “Belgrade and 
the Emperor’s Army.” A thousand men stood in 
the great portico of the capitol, closely scanning 
the view. Conspicuous among them was a man of 
middle age, whose fine features and leonine coun- 
tenance made him remarkable, and around him 
were gathered a dozen other men of like noble 
aspect. Our friends joined this group and were 
kindly greeted by him. He was the chairman of 
the house of representatives, and, as such, a mem- 
ber of the Allied Congress about to assemble. His 
words were eagerly received and repeated. He was 
saying: 

“The situation is very grave. I do not think 
there will be much chance for debate or specula- 
tion. The war seems to be upon us, if the move- 
ments from Belgrade shown yonder mean any- 
thing. It is the beginning of the end, an irrepressi- 
ble conflict. The world is not large enough to 
hold the Czar-pope and the Allied Nations. One 
must go down. His power and empire must be 
effaced from the world-map.” 

Exclamations of approval greeted this positive 
statement. 

“But,” asked one, “is he not well prepared? 
Can he be crushed so easily?” 

“Certainly it will be no easy task. But he will 


26 


THE LAST WAR 


not find the allies unprepared. For one hundred 
years we have been dealing with that empire, en- 
deavoring to remain at peace and introduce civil- 
ization. For twenty-five years, or since the present 
Emperor assumed the crown and miter, we have 
been preparing for this war. The wise men saw it 
coming. We have not been idle in America, espe- 
cially. Our arsenals are full of arms and ammuni- 
tion. Our militia numbers 20,000,000, and half of 
that number can be sent to battle in thirty days. 
We have 3,000,000 second-term militia, many of 
whom saw service in the Indian war ten years ago. 
Our war machines, our long dynamic cannon, will 
win the day, even against odds. Let him move! 
To-morrow morning, I predict, 3,000,000 men will 
seize their arms and make ready to cross the ocean. 
The people will now see that the policy of this 
administration has been right in spending billions 
of dollars in armament. President Morgan will 
recommend a positive declaration of war.” 

At this moment an exclamation from many peo- 
ple caused attention to be given to the news bul- 
letin-board. On this was shown the following 
dispatch: 

“Vienna, Sept. 10, 11:05 a. m. — Airship scouts 
report movements of army corps toward the fron- 
tier. The EmperoPs fleet- is moving out of the 
/Egean sea. A section of airships have crossed 
our frontier. Smoke is arising in Poland, Servia 
and Greece. It is thought that the EmperoPs 


THE LAST WAR 


2 7 


troops are slaughtering the English-speaking peo- 
ple.” 

A, murmur of surprise and indignation arose 
from the people. All discussed the probability of 
the supposition contained in the last sentence. 
Their doubts were put at rest some minutes later 
by the appearance of the following message: 

“Vienna, Sept. 10, 11:10 a. m. — Fugitives by 
airship from Grecian peninsula and Poland report 
terrible massacre of foreigners at daylight this 
morning. All English-speaking people have been 
driven out or killed and their property destroyed 
It is thought 2,000,000 men, women and children 
have met death. Some have been pursued almost 
to Vienna by airship. General Ostrand is moving 
forward to the frontier to receive the fugitives.” 

Cries of rage and execration arose. War, exter- 
mination, annihilation, were threatened. Some 
had friends in the Emperor’s territory and were 
especially violent. Some rushed to the telegraph 
offices to send dispatches. Others hurried home- 
ward to impart the news. 

“This is terrible work!” exclaimed Newman. 

“I hope they will call upon the cadets of the 
university,” said Wellington. “If they do not, I 
shall volunteer. Indeed, I shall ask leave to ac- 
company the army in any event.” 

They turned again to the bulletin-board. It 
now contained the announcement: “Allied Con- 
gress will meet at one o’clock instead of two, on ac- 


28 


THE LAST WAR 


count of recent news making haste necessary. By 
order of the president of United America, and 
chairman of the Allied Congress, Morgan.” 

“Let us go to dinner,” suggested Newman. “We 
can easily return in time.” 

His companion complied. They again ascended 
the elevated car and returned to the university, 
where they at once entered the dining hall. Here 
in a vast, well-lighted and very neat room, hun- 
dreds of students, male and female, were gathered 
at little tables, and were partaking of the midday 
lunch. The friends sat down at one of these ta- 
bles, around which were a dozen of their class, sev- 
eral of whom were young ladies. They were at 
once besieged with questions, and the news they 
brought caused an uproar over the dining room. 
Some young men more excitable than others made 
speeches of very warlike tenor. 

After some discussion the following resolution 
was adopted: “Whereas, the Emperor Paul and 
his mongrel race have begun a war of extermina- 
tion against the English-speaking people of the 
world and have already massacred thousands of in- 
nocents; Resolved, that his empire should be abol- 
ished and that swift vengeance should move the 
allies to his destruction; and. Resolved, that the 
senior class of the American University, as a body, 
tenders the services of its members, the males as 
soldiers, the females as nurses, volunteers for the 
war.” 


THE LAST WAR 


29 


This resolution was ordered printed and pre- 
sented to the chairman of the congress as an ex- 
pression of the sentiment of American students 

At one o’clock the Allied Congress met in grave 
assembly in the senate room of the capitol. Wel- 
lington and Newman were in the visitors’ lobby 
and listened with closest attention to the proceed- 
ings. There were ten delegates from each nation 
represented. The majority of them were past the 
middle age, but some were young men. The 
fair complexion of the European, American and 
Australian delegates showed their pure descent 
from the Caucasian race. The Indian and the 
African delegates were swarthy, and one-half of 
the Africans were black, coming from the negro 
states. Intelligence marked every countenance. 

President Morgan of United America called the 
congress to order. A chaplain prayed that God 
would guide the deliberations in order that this 
crisis in the world’s history should be met rightly. 
The secretary, a subordinate official, read the presi- 
dent’s call and a short message stating, in brief, 
that the hostile actions of Emperor Paul had 
caused the issuance of the proclamation, and rec- 
ommending that positive action be taken immedi- 
ately against him. Thereupon a mot. on prevailed 
that the congress remain in constant scs ion until 
the cause of its coming together should be re- 
moved. The chairman of the European delega- 
tion thereupon formally explained the decrees 


30 


THE LAST WAR 


issued by the Emperor, the hostile demonstrations 
being made, and the massacre of citizens just re- 
ported, and closed by saying: 

“It is too late to remonstrate or threaten! Only 
war, and a war to the bitter end, leading to the 
destruction of his power, or ours, is left to us. 
Let the declaration be made at once.” 

lie submitted a formal declaration of war in 
writing and moved its adoption. The chairman of 
the Indian delegation in seconding the motion 
explained the aggressive action of the Moham- 
medan and Buddhist powers in Persia and Thibet. 
An Australian delegate moved as an amendment 
that the declaration specify that the war should 
cease only with the submission of the enemy and 
the destruction of the empire of Europe and Asia. 
An American delegate, the leonine-faced man 
whom we have before described, seconded this 
amendment, and in a majestic oration, lasting fif- 
teen minutes, urged its adoption. But an Indian 
delegate objected, arguing that it would lead to a 
religious war, a war of fanaticism, horrible in its 
operation and terrible to crush. A lively debate 
followed. 

The debate was interrupted, presently, by the 
chairman, who said that an important dispatch had 
been received. lie directed the secretary to read 
it. It was as follows: 

“Vienna, 2 p. m. — Scouts report several bri- 
gades of the advance division of the enemy cross- 


THE LAST WAR 


3 1 


ing the frontier. No quarter is given the in- 
habitants. Murder and arson rule. General Os- 
trand is near Budapest with his advance division.'*’ 

A page now placed a telegram in the hand of 
the chairman of the Indian delegation. It was 
read by him, and instantly he sprang to his feet 
and craved hearing. He read: 

“Calcutta, 2 p. m. — Mohammedans have raised 
the green flag and have proclaimed a holy war. 
Uprisings of Mohammedan people in our northern 
states have been made. Urge immediate action. 

“Gamble, President.” 

“Delegates, I now favor the amendment,” said 
the member from India. “Already have they 
raised the banner and declared for a holy war. 
So be it! It will render their destruction more 
complete. Let there be no end to this conflict 
until that power which has menaced the world’s 
liberties for two hundred years he destroyed! I 
call for the question.” 

He sat down. The chairman stroked his gray 
beard thoughtfully and looked around the assem- 
bly for further discussion. No one uttered a word. 
He thereupon put the question to a vote. It was 
carried unanimously. Immediately a tall man 
arose from the diplomatic gallery and said: 

“So be it! I now ask a safe-conduct to my 
Emperor.” 

This request from the ambassador of the Em- 
peror was at once granted and a copy of the dec- 


32 


THE LAST WAR 


laration of war was handed to him. Then the 
congress proceeded with great unanimity to make 
all arrangements for the war. Without discussion 
and on motion of a delegate from India, General 
William Mitchell was appointed commander-in- 
chief of all the allied forces on land and sea. With 
the same unanimity, Admiral Neils was appointed 
admiral of the allied ocean fleet and Captain Phoe- 
nix was made leader of the air fleet. 

Having accomplished this, a pause was made 
to await the arrival of General Mitchell, who had 
been sent for to receive his commission from con- 
gress in open assembly. A few minutes later a 
medium-sized man, of quiet demeanor, dressed in 
the dark-b’ue uniform of a general of highest 
rank, appeared, and was greeted with thunderous 
applause by the great crowds who pad ed all the 
galleries. He was escorted by a committee to the 
chairman’s desk and there was presmted with his 
commission in a few well-chosen words. He re- 
sponded with a bow. 

Thereupon he was questioned as to the extent 
of the armament he thought necessary for congress 
to provide. He answered: 

“Provide for the immediate mobilization of 15,- 
000,000 men, with guns, war machines and sup- 
plies to equip them. Pass an order for the instant 
calling out of the men, and grant me power to im- 
press and use all property, public and private, all 


THE LAST WAR 


33 


means of transportation and of communication. 
There is great need of rapid, effective action/’ 

These recommendations were immediately 
adopted and the order given to promulgate the 
same in all of the allied countries. The general 
then retired and congress proceeded to apportion 
the armament and the expense upon the various 
nations in accordance with the compact between 
them. In the presence of impending danger all 
factional voices were hushed. It was felt that 
nothing could be done too rapidly or on too large 
a scale. 

Wellington and his friend had been witnesses of 
the action of congress and had joined in the en- 
thusiastic demonstration given in honor of Gen- 
eral Mitchell. Wellington now said: 

“ James, I have determined to volunteer. I shall 
ask General Mitchell to accept my services in 
any capacity. He was a friend of my father. You 
know father commanded a division under him 
in the last Indian war and was killed at the 
storming of Teheran. The general sent us an 
autograph letter of condolence. Perhaps he will 
remember his friend’s son.” 

“Let us go at once!” exclaimed Newman. “Per- 
haps he will also remember that son’s friend. I 
have been thinking that I would like a position as 
correspondent to some newspaper. I shall apply 
to The Graphic. That paper has printel several 
of my sketches and might give me a chance. If 


34 


THE LAST WAR 


you get in with the general, I know The Graphic 
will take me when I declare that I am your 
friend.” 

The friends left the eapitol and went at once to 
the war department, where General Mitchell had 
temporarily established headquarters. They ar- 
rived very shortly after the general had entered his 
office. In response to Wellington’s card, which a 
page took into the office, they received an invita- 
tion to enter. They were ushered into the pres- 
ence of the great man, who was dictating to stenog- 
raphers short orders to those generals who should 
compose his staff, directing them to report to him 
at once. He glanced up with a nod and a smiie, 
as the young men entered, and motioned them to 
seats. 

Ten minutes elapsed while the stenographers 
took his orders and pages hurried away to the tele- 
graph offices. Then he paused. Turning to the 
young men, he again glanced at their cards, which 
lay at hand on his desk, and asked: 

“What can I do for you, yonng gentlemen?” 

“I am a son of General Wellington,” said Ar- 
thur, rising. “I desire to tender you my services 
in any capacity that you can use me. I am colonel 
of the University cadets and would esteem it a 
very great favor to be under your orders.” 

A flash of pleasure shone over the general’s face 
as he heard this declaration. He arose and took 


THE LAST WAR 


35 


the young man’s hand in his with warm pressure, 
saying: 

“I am very well pleased to meet you. Yes, I 
now recognize your features. You were a small 
boy when I saw you last. Your father was one of 
my warmest friends. If you are composed of like 
metal to him I shall be fortunate to have you near 
me. No doubt I can use you. And this, your 
friend, is he anxious for war?” 

“He is anxious to see the war and describe it. 
lie is a writer,” explained Wellington. 

The general gave Newman a kindly greeting, as 
he said: 

“Our operations will need a historian. Per- 
haps a place may be found for him. How would 
you like the position of orderly, my personal at- 
tendant, Wellington?” 

Arthur flushed with pleasure and assured the 
general that nothing could please him better. 
After inquiries as to the welfare of their relatives 
the great man dismissed them with the admonition 
to hold themselves in readiness to come with him 
at a moment’s notice. 

“We have already determined upon a plan of 
concentration of the army,” he said, as they arose 
to leave. “We shall linger here three days at most, 
as we have here a central office in communication 
with the whole world. By the end of that time 
1 hope to have plans completed and such move- 


36 


THE LAST WAR 


ments in action that I may safely undertake the 
journey to Paris.” 

The young men went out, happy because of the 
favors shown. 

“No wonder that man has been chosen!” ex- 
claimed Newman. “He is a mind reader, equal to 
our dean. His steady blue eyes look into your 
very soul. He anticipates your wishes and seems 
to read your thoughts as they flash to the mind. 
You are favored, indeed. What other man would 
give you the most confidential post in his service? 
He knew you, my friend!” 

“I could see that he was pleased with me. I 
read his thoughts somewhat, but he kept a veil 
over them except when he took my hand.” 

“Like Fate, he knows, yet is inscrutable. Now 1 
will go and talk with The Graphic.” 


CHAPTER IV. 


OUTLINES OF HISTORY. 

Wellington and his friend were in their usual 
places at the hour for Professor Wallace’s lecture. 
As they waited with others before the door of the 
lecture room they exchanged news. For they had 
been engaged during the preceding evening and 
this morning in communicating with their friends 
and in arranging their affairs so that they might 
be ready when the call for them should come. 

“I talked with my mother by photophone/’ said 
Wellington. “She is delighted with my prospects, 
though naturally anxious.” 

“And I talked with the managing editor of The 
Graphic,” returned Newman. “He is a shaggy, 
savage-looking, old fellow. Had we not been sev- 
eral hundred miles apart and looking at each other 
through the photophone only, I think I should 
have been frightened. He said he would consider 
my proposition, although several had already ap- 
plied.” 

At this moment the bell rang and the doors 
rolled back. The students marched to their seats 
and waited with much interest for the professor to 
speak. The old man, as was his custom, uttered 
some preliminary remarks. 

37 


38 


THE LAST WAR 


“Events are moving with great rapidity, even 
for this rapid age. The decision of the Allied Con- 
gress, on which hangs the fate of the world, was 
made yesterday in just one hour. The general 
appointed to command the armies slept last night 
three hours, and has exerted himself and a vast 
force of clerks, staff and division officers, and all 
the means of communication with which our great 
city is supplied, from the moment of his appoint- 
ment until this present time. As a result, bodies 
of armed men all over the world have turned their 
faces toward Paris and are moving as fast as elec- 
tric force can move them. Ten million men are 
in arms to-day throughout the Allied Nations, and 
half that number are already moving upon trans- 
ports .toward the seats of war. While they are 
moving, the enemy has not been idle. Dispatches 
show that he has crossed the frontier toward Buda- 
pest in Europe, that he is moving by Teheran to 
seize the passes into India, and that his army has 
crossed the White Nile to assail Sudan. Destruc- 
tion and death go in his footsteps. Let us hope 
that he may be checked soon. 

“I am glad that the decision has been made to 
prosecute this war until the Holy Empire of Europe 
and Asia shall have been destroyed. In no other 
way may peace be attained. I can now see into the 
future with the eye of reason, and predict that 
within 100 years liberty will rule supreme in the 
world and peace will be in every house. The 


THE LAST WAR 


39 


destruction of the last empire will lead to the com- 
plete dissemination of knowledge and the down- 
fall of superstition. One language, oiie race, one 
system of government, one rule of right — the 
world will rapidly approach that state which be- 
lievers in the bible have called the millennium.” 

The speaker paused and took up his manuscript. 
For a moment he sat still, meditating, as if his 
mind were viewing a beatific state of life. But lie 
recalled his thoughts, with a slight effort, and 
began to read: 

“History covers about 5,000 years of the lapse 
of time as applied to the world and to man. Stu- 
dents of the earth’s formation, its elements, its 
rocks, its remains and of its debris, have car- 
ried us back farther into the past; but the record 
has been read through nature, not through the 
writings of man. We need not take the biblical 
or other accounts of creation into our minds for 
the purposes of this lecture. Suffice it to say 
that history, at its beginning, found distinct races 
of men, differing in color, in speech, in manners 
and customs and in domicile, and separated them 
into the Caucasian, the Mongolian, the Malayan 
and the black races. Out of the Caucasian race 
sprang the progenitors of the Anglo-Saxon peo- 
ple. From the Anglo-Saxon and their relatives 
sprang the later English-American races or na- 
tions. As I remarked in my preceding lecture, 
the progressive nature of the Anglo-Saxons im- 


40 


THE LAST WAR 


pelled them to vast systems of colonization, to 
spreading their language and customs, and to im- 
proving their own condition. 

“Out of a branch of the Caucasian race sprang 
the Russian people, now the ruling class in the 
Empire of Europe and Asia. The Mongols, the 
Malays, the blacks, have succumbed and bowed 
the knee to their white brethren, have disappeared, 
as nations, and have only lived by the grace of that 
people who have irresistibly spread over the 
world. Liberty has come and gone with the Cau- 
casians. The servile races have, however, by their 
absorption, given to the ruling races much of their 
manners and customs and their monarchical ideas, 
and have dragged down the conquerors to a lower 
level. 

“But while this has been true as a general state- 
ment, there have been exceptions, noticeably 
where the free institutions of the English-speak- 
ing people have controlled the stronger race. Here 
the evil was destroyed, not absorbed. 

“About the year 1500 of the Christian era, na- 
tions began to assume the forms which they re- 
tained almost 500 years. Then the larger began 
to absorb the smaller and the stronger to usurp 
government over the weaker.. At the beginning 
of the twentieth century we find in Asia, the 
motherland of men, that oldest organized gov- 
ernment in the world, China and India, ruled by 
Great Britain; Japan, the island empire just com- 


THE LAST WAR 


4i 


in g into prominence, and several smaller states in 
the southwestern part which bordered the Asiatic 
possessions of the Turkish sultan. The vast em- 
pire of Russia occupied the northern parts of 
Europe and Asia, and was steadily pursuing that 
absorbing, spreading policy by which it presently 
obtained possession of the major portion of China 
and later almost all of Asia north of the Yellow 
river and the Himalaya mountains. Sweden and 
Norway, in the Scandinavian peninsula; Germany 
and Austria and little Switzerland, peopled with 
Germans for the most part (though Austria was 
divided from Hungary after a civil strife beginning 
through disputes as to the use of the German as 
the official language early in the century); France, 
a republic of restless, versatile people; Italy, suf- 
fering under the incubus of religious bigotry, and 
Spain, in a worse state than Italy, comprised the 
principal nations of Europe, except the islands of 
the world-wide empire of Great Britain. Holland 
and Belgium are names of small German states 
then in existence. Portugal lay inert on the ocean. 

“Africa was a country of colonies, though sev- 
eral small independent kingdoms and two small 
republics existed by the grace of other nations, 
which threatened daily to swallow them up and 
absorb them. Australia was a dependent of Great 
Britain, which, seated on its ancient isles, dis- 
pensed law to myriad peoples in all the world and 
sent out its English-speaking messengers into every 


42 


THE LAST WAR 


port of every nation. I have spoken of Great 
Britain thus separately, because, in fact, that em- 
pire did not belong to Europe but to the whole 
world. Her sons and daughters and their chil- 
dren, who, some time, had broken away and now 
flouted the mother country and stood ready to 
fight her, were known and respected in every land. 

“We pass over to the new world, as it was then 
called. In North America was the United States, 
giant offspring of the English people, ruler of its 
own territories and protector, by its power, of the 
territory of all America. At the date of which we 
now speak, the beginning of the twentieth century, 
the United States of America, whose people called 
themselves Americans, as distinguished from Mex- 
icans, Canadians or other inhabitants of the 
Americas, and which title was conceded to them 
by universal consent throughout the world, not 
only claimed sovereignty over its own boundaries, 
but, under the Monroe doctrine, so called, claimed 
the right to forbid territorial acquisitions in 
America by un-American nations, and the further 
right to intervene in wars between the nations of 
America and the nations of other continents.. 

“This right had been conceded by many nations, 
but not by others, notably the Germans, the 
Austrians and the Spanish; and about the begin- 
ning of the twentieth century the contention came 
to such an acute stage that an American fleet in- 
tervened in a war in which Cuba and Spain were 


THE LAST WAR 


43 


engaged, and when Germany and Austria encour- 
aged Spain the American people almost caused a 
declaration of war to be made against them. The 
sudden mobilization of an army of over a million 
volunteers to guard the most important ports, the 
gathering of her total fleet to threaten the sup- 
posed combination, coupled with eastern difficul- 
ties of partitioning China, which hampered Ger- 
many and her hot-headed emperor, and the recall- 
ing of ambassadors and cutting off of trade, 
brought the older nations to reason, and, later, 
under the influence of a close alliance of all the 
American nations with the United States, brought 
a direct acknowledgment of recognition of the 
claims of the United States and averted war. 

“Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, 
Brazil, the Argentine Republic, Chile, Ecuador and 
Bolivia are all titles of nations which then ex- 
isted in America. They differed in power and 
language. Some were English-speaking in part. 
Others used the Spanish language and some the 
Portuguese. Such were the nations of America. 

“The historian notes at this period the violence 
of the European nations in colonization schemes. 
Russia, Germany, France and Great Britain were 
seizing territory in every part of the world where 
they could, except in America, which was guarded 
by the United States. In Africa and Asia and 
the islands of the seas, their rapacious hands were 
raising flags, mounting cannon and killing those 


44 


THE LAST WAR 


who would not submit. But it was well for the 
progress of the world that they did. We notice 
the immense extent of Russia and its solid au- 
tocracy., and see that it is the coming arbiter of the 
old world. Only by combinations did the other 
nations even at that date seek to thwart her. She 
took two-thirds of China and all of Korea, and, 
though thwarted for a time by brave little Japan 
in combination with England, she afterward satis- 
fied England and conquered Japan in a sharp war 
lasting three months only. 

“Twenty years later, aided by Germany, she 
drove the Turk out of Europe and Asia Minor and 
added them to her dominions. England was satis- 
fied with Egypt, France with more of China and 
Africa, and Germany with like distributions. 

“These were the changes in the map made dur- 
ing the twentieth century in the old world. In 
the new, the changes were quite as great, but ob- 
tained by peaceful methods, after Spain gave up 
Cuba. After the acquisition of the Hawaiian is- 
lands, of some Asiatic islands and various smaller 
islands near her own coast, the United States rested 
many years, controlled by the conservative people 
who saw no gain in the widening of territories. 
But Canada, a vast nation in itself, threw off 
allegiance to Britain in 1954, and by direct vote 
of the people became a part of the United States. 
As I have heretofore stated, all further acquisitions 
of territory were by peaceful methods. The Amer- 


THE LAST WAR 


4S 


icans, swarming out of their homes, sent men and 
money into every country of Central and South 
America, and vast schemes of colonization were 
carried out in those countries with the consent and 
approbation of their governments. It has always 
been true that where the English-speaking peoples, 
especially the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants, 
mingled with other races, in a very short time they 
became the dominant people. For they stren- 
uously kept their language and customs in strange 
places. They introduced such wonderful improve- 
ments in the condition of the peoples with whom 
they came in contact that they were always ac- 
knowledged leaders. 

“Back as far as 1845 the English-speaking Texans 
tore away a vast territory from Mexico and made 
it a part of the United States. So, later, first in 
Central America, where the people were in a 
chronic state of war and revolution, and then in 
Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Guiana and 
Bolivia, where like conditions prevailed, until the 
master hand of the Americans brought order out 
of chaos, the colonists refused to be governed by 
the mongrel races and became of their own voli- 
tion a part of the United States. But Mexico, 
Brazil, Chile and Argentina held out with strong 
governments a hundred years longer. They first 
entered into close commercial alliances with the 
United States; latel*, by reason of threatened wars 
with foreign powers, they took refuge under the 


46 


THE LAST WAR 


shield of the great republic, and finally, induced 
by their own people, entered into a vast federa- 
tion as United America, which was the first form 
of the present government. In 2350 this federa- 
tion became a union, with the old constitution of 
the United States, modified in some particulars, as 
the foundation of government. So that, to-day, 
we have United America, comprising all of the 
western continent and its adjacent islands. 

“In the narrative of the spread of American rule 
over the continent I have omitted to notice the 
social progress of the people and the gradual rise 
in the condition of the masses. That subject I 
will treat to-morrow, generally, in our view of the 
progress of the human race. But I cannot omit 
one great item of history, perhaps the most pe- 
culiar that history presents. I refer to the emigra- 
tion of the negro race from the United States to 
Africa in 1950, whereby, peacefully and with all 
their property, the civilized negroes of the United 
States, by their own act, transferred themselves to 
the equatorial regions of Africa and founded the 
Republic of United Africa on the ruins of the 
Congo State and the depopulated territories known 
as the Sudan, Nubia and the Niger country. It 
had long been a source of irritation to a portion of 
the American people that the race, once in slavery 
to them, still dwelt among them and threatened 
by intermixture to lower the standard of American 
individuality. Instead of growing less with ad- 


THE LAST WAR 


47 


vancing years, this feeling became stronger and 
racial lines were drawn ever closer. At times civil 
war was threatened. The negroes became edu- 
cated and competent, finally, to take part in gov- 
ernment. Naturally they sought their civil rights. 
The whites, being in the majority and resolved to 
brook no rule of their darker brethren, united to 
prevent these aspirations being realized. Philan- 
thropists on both sides anxiously sought solution 
of the question, and finally the negroes them- 
selves resolved to accept an offer of the Congo 
State to enter central Africa and populate that 
vast region where only the negro could thrive in 
comfort. The government of the United States 
generously remunerated the emigrants, paying 
them for their property its full value and 
transporting them free of charge to their new 
homes, and in addition departed from its time- 
honored custom not to make any foreign alliances 
and declared the new republic to be under its pro- 
tection and care. The colonizing governments 
of the old world were at this time in the throes 
of revolution and did not dare add the American 
race to their individual enemies. So that the new 
policy of the United States was recognized with 
good grace. 

“This unparalleled migration of people more 
than 20,000,000 in number helped to solve the 
labor and agrarian troubles which had long dis- 
turbed the American republic, as we shall see, and 


48 


THE LAST WAR 


from that time on the Americans became distinct- 
ive individuals even among the English-speaking 
people of the world. 

“We turn now to the changes in the old world. 
As I have before stated, the need of a world- 
language had long been felt by all nations. This 
need, and the spread of English and American 
ideas and customs throughout the world, kept pace 
with each other. The acceptance of the English 
tongue as the world-tongue, however, was pre- 
ceded by bloody revolutions on the continent of 
Europe. 'Already in A. D. 1900 mutterings of 
discontent with hereditary rulers had become loud 
and threatening. The Britons bore with mon- 
archism as long as the good and noble queen, Vic- 
toria, lived, but within ten years after her death 
they dethroned the reigning king and established 
a republic. This act was accompanied by the 
secession of Australia and India and later by the 
like secession of South Africa and Canada. All 
these changes were accomplished without war, and, 
instead of one government over the vast territories 
which the queen had ruled, were the several in- 
dependent republics, which were united only by 
a confederative treaty, offensive and defensive 
against the world that did not use English. 

“About the same time the Germans, disgusted 
with the extravagant claims of their emperor, who ' 
by some writers is held to have been insane, over- 
threw the empire in a bloody revolution and estab- 


THE LAST WAR 


49 


lished a republic modeled somewhat after that d£ 
England, Austria and Italy followed a like course 
a few years later, and Spain finally abolished mon- 
archy in A. D. 1970. 

“It was during these disturbances and internal 
troubles that Russia, pursuing its autocratic meth- 
ods, banished all disturbers of its internal peace 
and seized Turkey in Europe and parts of Austria 
and all of Greece, besides taking a great part of 
the sultan’s dominion in Asia. China had been 
partitioned in A. D. 1924. The tactics of the Rus- 
sian compelled the European powers to unite in a 
federation for protection. This federation of re- 
publics led to closer commercial and social rela- 
tions. It naturally led to the use of a language 
which all might know, and, as the English language 
was the widest in use throughout the world and 
was spoken by all educated men in Europe, it was 
adopted as the international language in A. D. 
2000. It then became co-ordinate with the sev- 
eral languages of the continent. 

“From this date onward the progress of the lan- 
guage was rapid. It absorbed the German and 
French and much of the Italian and Spanish. It 
was used in all the schools. It became the lan- 
guage of the peasantry. It unified the peoples, 
until, about 100 years later, it was the only lan- 
guage in use, and Europe became a grand republic 
among the nations. By A. D. 2300 the nations 


50 


THE LAST WAR 


of the earth had assumed the forms in which we 
now find them. 

“The most important event in the religious world 
during these changes was the union of the Roman 
catholic church with that known as the Greek 
church. Parted by a schism when the old Roman 
empire disappeared, the Roman bishop became 
pope and the Greek head came to he the czar of 
Russia. Whatever errors had crept into both those 
ancient churches from the pagan world which 
they had superseded, it is not my purpose to con- 
sider, but I note only the method by which the 
two were again united. After the pope had been 
deprived of temporal power and the kingdom of 
Italy had been organized, the church watched every 
opportr. aity to regain its vast authority in the civil 
affairs of. nations, as well as in their spiritual affairs. 
The pontiffs were always holding that, as vice- 
gerents of God, they ought to control the destinies 
of the world. The progressive protestant nations 
gave them no hope of success in this desire, and 
they intrigued with the monarchical and noble fac- 
tions which had been thrown down in the general 
European upheaval. They formed alliances right 
and left, even with the infidel Turk and the Greek 
faction. Out of this alliance with the Greek fac- 
tion of the catholic church sprang the present con- 
dition of the catholic church. The Italians threw 
off the monarchical power only to find themselves 
in the hands of an oligarchy, which, aided by Rus- 


THE LAST WAR 


Si 


sian troops, sought to re-establish the power of 
the pope in Italy and Austria, and led to an ex- 
tremely violent and bloody war in A. D. 1987, in 
which the whole Italian nation rose and drove out 
the pope and his adherents from Italy. 

“The pope transferred his headquarters to Spain; 
but a revolution followed him there, Then was 
held the conference at Salonica which reconciled 
the Eoman and Greek catholics under the single 
name, “The Holy Catholic Church/ and the czar 
became a member of that church, with the under- 
standing that, upon the death of the pontiff then 
living, he should be elected pope with the double 
title of ‘emperor and supreme pontiff/ corrupted 
since into the common designation ‘Czar-pope/ 

“But this union did not unite all the catholics 
of the world under his dominion. Instead, a very 
large branch broke away in America and organized 
a new church, but upon broader lines and in the 
spirit of American customs and liberty. That new 
church of reformed catholics now fraternizes with 
the protestant branches of the Christian religion, 
and, having dropped somewhat of its superstition 
and accepted the teachings of reason as well as of 
faith, has become a great factor in building up the 
foundations of morality and truth in the world. 

“Many of the catholic people, however, clung to 
the new combination at Constantinople in the be- 
lief that it represented the old church, and vast 
numbers of them migrated to Eussia and the 


5 ^ 


THE LAST WAR 


Asiatic countries, accepting the offers of the new 
head of their religion, who thus sought to populate 
his vast dominions with people of his own faith. 
In this he was very successful. Millions of Amer- 
icans, blinded by bigotry; millions of Europeans, 
hating the new order of governments in their 
former homes, migrated to accept free lands and 
property among people of a like faith. This 
process was not hindered, but encouiaged by all 
the governments which desired progress. The 
thinning-out process, while it aided the progress 
of the nations which they left, threw a vast crowd 
of ignorant people upon the Empire of Europe and 
Asia, and that empire has, under the immense 
spiritual and temporal power of the priesthood and 
the autocratic power of the .Emperor, made very 
little advancement for 300 years. Education, ex- 
cept to certain limits, has been retarded, discour- 
aged and forbidden. English-speaking visitors 
have been permitted to pass through, but not en- 
couraged to settle. To-day we have, then, as a 
neighbor — no, as a deadly enemy — the vast, con- 
centrated power of an autocrat whose hands are 
upheld by fanatical, priest-ridden people. Joined 
to them by a like spirit of aversion to progress are 
the Mohammedan nations of central A ia and Abys- 
sinia. For Mohammedanism is a power that has 
not easily succumbed to the will of the Emperor. 
Only by conceding them the right to exercise their 
own religion can he govern its votaries. Should the 


THE LAST WAR 


53 


Emperor prove successful in this war with us, 
however, I believe that he will stamp out Moham- 
medanism with fire and sword. Now he cajoles 
it into an alliance with him aga n t that progress- 
ive action of the English-speaking nations which 
threatens to subvert his power.” 

The second lecture here came to an end. 


CHAPTER V. 


A BIT OF SOCIAL LIFE* 

Copies of the lectures, taken instantaneously by 
audiphone as the professor spoke and duplicated 
by the duplex copying and multiplying process, 
were carried away by each of the students, to be 
carefully preserved by them and studied so that 
the monthly examinations would reveal the prog- 
ress of each. The receiver of the audiphone was 
a part of the reading desk, and was connected to 
the printer by electric wires passing through the 
floor into the room below, where all the machinery 
and bulky parts of the instruments used by the 
university were placed. 

The majority of the students repaired to the 
news office of the university, where the bulletins, 
furnished every five minutes from the cen- 
tral office by pneumatic carriers, were exhibited. 
Here between lectures and recitations the students 
were accustomed to gather and hold social inter- 
course, read the bulletins and watch the changing 
scenes on the receiving-board of the spectroscope, 
or the series of pictures imprinted by the picto- 
graph. 

Among others the friends, Wellington and New- 
man, entered the news office and mingled with the 
54 


THE LAST WAR 


55 


many who were already there. Upon the bulletin' 
board they saw posted the following dispatch: 

“Vienna, 10 a. m. — Russians are now about 
twenty miles from Buda. Hourly skirmishing oc- 
curs between our scouts and the air vessels. Con- 
flagrations in the vicinity of the enemy and 
fugitives received into our lines confirm the ac- 
counts of arson and murder hitherto published. 

General 0 strand has ceased advancing and is 
about to retire to his fortifications. His lines are 
forty miles long. He hopes to receive the Amer- 
ican re-enforcements before a general battle.” 

“Why does he retire?” was the demand on all 
sides. 

Many of the students turned to Wellington, who 
as colonel of the cadets ought to answer. Among 
others were several young ladies near to whom the 
friends had come in their progress. 

“I suppose from prudence,” was his answer. “He 
has only 2, 0C 0,000 men with him, as against mere 
than three times that number. Yet it seems that 
he is retreating too soon. He ought at least to 
delay the enemy by threatening a battle and de- 
stroying the roads.” 

“I have heard a rumor that you were going with 
General Mitchell,” said a young lady to Welling- 
ton. “I asked Vera about it, but she could not 
tell. Now, are you? And may we not go, too?” 

A tall, fair young woman at the side of the 
speaker, whom she indicated as “Vera,” blushed 


THE LAST WAR 


56 

a little, but seconded her friend’s question. Wel- 
lington smilingly answered: 

“I have offered my services and I have been 
assured of a position near the General. But I have 
not yet received official orders. I do not think 
the cadets will be called out at first, and perhaps 
not at all. So that your chances of going to war 
with the hospital corps are small. The trained 
nurses’ department is full, I believe.” 

“We have been studying war since yesterday,” 
said Vera. “We are becoming well informed.” 

“What have you learned?” asked Wellington. 

“For one item, that the female portion of the 
army has charge of the hospital and ambulance 
service, and has something to do with the signal 
service and the supply trains. The soldiers march, 
fight and die. The women care for the wounded, 
cremate the dead, and feed the living. There are 
in the service of United America over 5,000 trained 
women besides the reserves.” 

Wellington nodded assent. 

“You have learned correctly,” he said. “Add 
to those services the burdens that fall upon those 
women who stay at home and care for the families 
while their husbands, brothers and sons attend the 
army, and you have the sphere of women in tin's 
war. I know that you ladies belong to the re- 
serves, but I do not think your services will be 
required in the field.” 

“Why?” 


THE LAST WAR 


57 


“General Mitchell will crush the enemy within 
six weeks/’ 

“You have great confidence in him.” 

“I have. I believe he is chosen of God for this 
work.” 

At this moment a page touched Wellington on 
the arm and informed him that his presence was 
desired in the audience room by the regent of the 
university. He lingered long enough to say to 
Vera, aside: 

“I shall accompany General Mitchell, and I 
would much like an interview with you before .1 
go. Will you appoint one?” 

“I shall return home to-morrow,” was the an- 
swer. “My father is called to his regiment. You 
know he is one of the veteran reserves. I wish to 
see him before he leaves. Are you going home 
before you join the General?” 

“Yes, I think I shall.” 

“Then I shall be pleased to have you call at my 
home.” 

“Very well.” 

Accompanied by Newman, to whom the page 
had delivered a message also, Wellington now went 
to the regent’s presence. They soon stood before 
a venerable man, whose clear blue eyes seemed too 
sharp for one whose white beard and hair indicated 
advanced age. Known to be one of the wise men 
of the day, whose vast learning covered the fields of 
knowledge, possessed of a power to read the char- 


58 


THE LAST WAR 


acters and thoughts of men at a glance, even more 
easily than a professional mind reader, he was yet 
of a kindly and courteous nature, and commanded 
the love and veneration of the thousands of young- 
people who were placed under h’S care. 

The great man turned from a paper which he 
had been examining and greeted the young men 
with a smile. 

“The secret wish of your hearts is granted, my 
boys,” he said, as they halted and remained re- 
spectfully standing. “You may both go to the 
war as you wish, on condition that, when it ends 
and if you are living, you return here and finish 
your studies.” 

Wellington and Newman looked at each other in 
surprise, but presently found voice to utter thanks. 
The regent continued: 

“General MitcheT has prepared a list of officers 
for his staff and handed the same to the S3cretary 
of war for approval. Among them I find Welling- 
ton nominated colonel. The president asked me 
this morning to suggest to him a proper person to 
act as official reporter of the war. This reporter 
must accompany the General, and his duty is to 
keep a close record of events and to transmit to the 
president daily his observations in order that the 
executive may be informed. Knowing the friend- 
ship between you young men, I have nominated 
Newman. Your commissions are already signed. 
In two or three days you will depart for the scene 


THE LAST WAR 


59 


of war. You will not be gone many days. This 
war will be terrific, but short, like a cyclone.” 

As he paused Wellington asked: 

“You do not fear the result, then? Why do you 
think it will be short?” 

“I do not fear the result, because of the vast 
strength of the allies, whose soldiers are all intel- 
ligent, well-disciplined men, and who are armed 
with the most effective weapons known to man. 
In old times brute courage and strength counted 
for much in a battle. Now intelligence is added to 
valor. The war will be short, because rapid transit 
will move the combined armies to a battle in less 
than one week. Roads are so excellent that troops 
ride now in swift automolile war chariots, im- 
pelled by .stored electricity. In olden times troops 
marched on foot, and a day’s march rarely ex- 
ceeded fifty miles. Now the elevatel trains will 
concentrate troops from points thousands of miles 
apart in a few hours, while on the field of action 
armies will move easily ten miles each hour, and 
-possibly double that distance where roads are good. 
Campaigns, therefore, will be swift. Machines of 
war and engines of death are so perfect that a bat- 
tle will result in immense loss to both armies, and, 
likety, in the destruction of one. General Mitchell 
is a man of great military and scientific knowledge, 
and he predicts a short campaign. He says, con- 
fidently, that no army on earth can stand before 
the power of his long-range dynamic guns. The 


6o 


THE LAST WAR 


world has never seen the energy of such destroyers 
in action. Let ns hope that it will never need 
their power again.” 

After some words of sage advice the regent dis- 
missed the young men, who returned to the social 
hall. Here they hecame centers of eager crowds, 
who congratulated them upon their appointments 
and speculated much upon the duties and dangers 
which would be theirs. 

The remainder of the day was consumed by the 
friends in making preparations for the campaign. 
Books and papers were laid aside. Uniforms were 
ordered. Clothing and other necessary articles 
for personal comfort were provided. Friends were 
communicated with and farewells were said. 


CHAPTER VI. 


SOCIAL PROGRESS 

Both Newman and Wellington were eager to hear 
the third lecture of Professor Wallace, and, there- 
fore, remained at the university long enough to at- 
tend its delivery. They were in their usual places 
when the teacher took up his manuscript on the 
third day and said: 

“I have learned that some of my pupils intend to 
accompany the army to the scene of conflict. While 
regretting their absence, I am well pleased that 
they are eager to be useful in this war. If duty 
should demand, I, although beyond the age of 
soldiers, would gladly take up arms. But I do 
not think there will be need, though the war cloud 
is dark and threatening. 

“Matters at the front are becoming critical. The 
Emperor’s army is threatening attack on General 
Ostrand’s army and is approaching Vienna. In 
Africa a severe collision has occurred between the 
Abyssinian army and the advanced guard of the 
African army. In India severe fights have oc- 
curred at the passes of the Himalaya mountains. 
Meanwhile, from the whole allied world, forces are 
springing up and gathering together at the military 
stations. The regular troops are on the way to 
the front, while the first reserves are mobilizing. 

61 


62 


THE LAST WAR 


Already General Mitchell has 3,000,000 American 
troops on board transports about to cross the 
ocean. These added to the European army in the 
field and the whole of the reserves of United 
Europe, now ordered out, will furnisii an army 
equal to that of General Dolgorousk. General 
Mitchell states that this army will be in the field 
within four days. 

“I will now proceed to the lecture. For no 
doubt you are as familiar with current events as I, 
and it is not necessary to call further attention to 
them. 

“While the fourteenth century saw the awaken- 
ing of modern progress and the succeeiling decades 
witnessed the expansion of true knowledge to a 
surprising degree, yet the nineteenth and twentieth 
centuries will ever stand pre-eminent as the ages 
of progress in all things, ideas and inventions. 
The development of electricity and of ethereal 
power, the discovery of hitherto unknown forces 
and the application of these forces to means of 
transit, to manufactures, to communication, to art 
and in sciences, gave to the world an impetus sucli 
as never before had it felt. 

“We shall be able to touch upon few only of the 
many items of social and material progress, and 
shall treat them by way of comparison. Transit, 
communication, distribution, laws, religion and 
customs — these furnish striking examples from 


THE LAST WAR 63 

which one may readily judge of the progress in 
other and minor matters. 

“As to transit* tha nineteenth -cenmry people 
depended largely upon the power of steam. Elec- 
trical and ethereal power were then in an experi- 
mental stage. Steam railways, steamships, steam 
engines in factories and in mills, all were operated 
by that power of vapor, which has now become 
almost obsolete and unused. Instead, we now have 
electrical force, developed to such extent that its 
use has become universal where cheapness, rapid- 
ity and power are needed, and it enters into almost 
every phase of domestic and of public life. Light, 
heat and power, drawn from the inexhaustible 
stores provided in nature, are utilized to a vast 
extent. No more are the forests of the world cut 
down for wood; no more do men delve in the 
bowels of the earth for coal. Ethereal heat, drawn 
from water power and transmitted to any part of 
the earth, furnishes all needs formerly supplied by 
the forest and the mine. Trains now move over the 
elevated roads at an ordinary speed of 300 miles an 
hour, where formerly less than 100 could be made 
by the swiftest engine. Whereas men used to ride 
behind the slow steam engine or on the slower 
steamship, now, if he choose, he may mount into 
the air on the buoyant airship and sail where he 
will. At the close of the nineteenth century, 
the problem of navigating the air was given 
close attention, but most inventors were striving 


64 


THE LAST WAR 


to make a machine which would move through the 
air without the sustaining power of a gas lighter 
than air. The simple idea of inclosing a light gas 
in a perfectly closed apartment, as in the old bal- 
loons, seemed to be discarded. But, later, the laws 
of nature were followed, and the lighter metals, 
especially aluminium, gave inventors a basis to 
work from with success. Whereas men formerly 
traversed the land or moved over the sea, now they 
move with equal facility and with much greater 
speed through the air. 

“I have here in a portfolio pictures, drawn in 
the twentieth century, illustrating the steam en- 
gines and the cars, boats and other vehicles oper- 
ated by steam. These I will cause to be reproduced 
by the pictograpli upon the receiver at the close of 
my remarks. 

“As to communication, besides the rapidity o! 
trains, airships and the new sea vessels whose speed 
has been increased to almost 100 miles an hour, we 
have the improved telegraph, the photophone, 
which is a combination of the old telephone and 
the photoscope of more recent invention, whereby 
one may see and talk with another though thou- 
sands of miles apart; the pictograpli, by which 
photography is accomplished though the object 
and the reflection are many miles apart, and the 
spectroscope, an improvement of the old telescope 
combined with the photoscope, whereby scenes are 
gathered to a receiver by a lens and transmitted 


THE LAST WAR 


65 


to a receiving field, perhaps 1,000 miles distant, by 
magnetic conductors, and there thrown by r.fl c- 
tion so that one may observe them as he would 
with the naked eye. At that date, the close of the 
nineteenth century, wise inventors were dreaming 
of these' things, and light waves were becoming 
understood as well as sound waves. The infinite 
possibilities lying hidden in the ethereal fluid sur- 
rounding the earth were being examined. As the 
decades made up the centuries, step after step was 
taken in the dark, as it were, but toward the light. 
Yet, even now, men who study these phenomena 
of nature aver that they are only on the verge of a 
vast ocean of knowledge and light. 

“1 have also in this portfolio representations of 
the ancient telephone, the camera, the old X-ray 
device, the phonograph and several other nine- 
teenth-century inventions, which the ignorant of 
those days looked upon with wonder. 

“In those days commerce was carried on by the 
means of distribution I have described. Now, 
while the bulky articles are yet carried in cars and 
vessels, the larger part is distributed by means of 
the pneumatic tubes, with almost inconceivable 
rapidity and without wear and tear to the articles. 
So that one may now eat an apple in New York 
plucked from the orchards of California one hour 
previously; one may in Alaska eat the oranges of 
Florida plucked two hours before the eating, and, 
finally, we may read the London Hourly News 


66 


THE LAST WAR 


within three hours after it is printed. We even 
now pause to wonder at the vast accomplishment 
of laying the Atlantic pneumatic-tube line, hut I 
confidently predict that before many years we shall 
ride to and fro in a similar way and as we now send 
packages. These systems, operated by chartered 
co-operative companies, under control of govern- 
ment, have proved a wonderful power in the dis- 
semination of true civilization. 

“I have lately been delving into the literature of 
the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in order to 
form a correct idea of' those restless days when 
humanity seemed to be in a ferment as in no othei 
age has it been. Laws changing; religions broken, 
assailed, cast aside, built up and purified; customs 
threatened with upheaval and ruin— such was the 
spirit of the age. 

“There seemed to be a continuous scramble for 
wealth and position. Vice battled with virtue 
openly, and many times with success. Political 
parties struggled for supremacy and often stooped 
to bribery and fraud to obtain their ends. In- 
temperance, both in narcotics and stimulants, pre- 
vailed to a surprising extent. The uneducated, 
the ignorant and the vicious, combining, often 
held the power of government. But, withal, I note 
a rising public sentiment, due to education and the 
efforts of religious teachers, which had alreadv 
branded the vices as diseases to be eradicated and 
prevented, rather than cured by treatment, leading 


THE LAST WAR 


67 


p to the present system of restraining and segre- 
ing the vicious and abnormal man or woman 
£8 to prevent the reproduction of his or her 
d. 

Above all, at the close of the nineteenth cen- 
. y,l looted the labor and the agrarian movements 
inch threatened to degenerate into anarchy, but 
hich, under the influence of education and the 
adoption of wise laws, finally resulted in the up- 
lifting of the servant to an equal enjoyment of the 
items of life with the master. Many schemes were 
being proposed as solutions to the conflict between 
labor, so named, and capital, so called. Many of 
these were visionary and would have subverted 
government and destroyed society. But none of 
these subversive plans of reform prevailed to any 
extent, though many good ideas were drawn from 
them and utilized. Laws of trade and commerce 
are natural laws and cannot be changed by arbi- 
trary enactments. There existed, as now, three 
classes — the rich, the poor and the intermediate. 
But, then, the distinctions were much more 
marked, the rich being owners of vast wealth and 
the poor being poverty-stricken, while, to-day, the 
amount which one may accumulate is limited and 
there are no people among us who suffer for the 
necessaries of life. It was the object of some re- 
formers, so called, of that age, to cause a redistri- 
bution of wealth by arbitrary enactments; of oth- 
ers to take away individual property rights and 


68 


THE LAST WAR 


make all communal, and of still others to make the 
government paternal. The agitations were severe 
and productive of much social unrest. The innate 
selfishness of men’s nature, the wide divergence of 
ability and thriftiness, the ambition of some and 
the lack of ambition in others, militated against all 
subversive plans. 

“The solution of t.hese troubles came about, 
however, in a very natural manner. In part, the 
emigration of those millions of black people, who 
went forth willingly and under the care, and at 
the expense, of their white brethren, removed a 
class of laborers from among the Americans which 
relieved at once the stress for work to earn bread. 
The agitation by the laboring classes produced a 
sentiment that finally compelled the passage of 
equalization laws, which prohibited the aggrega- 
tion of vast wealth and limited estates, so that now 
no one family may possess more than $100,000 of 
personalty or a homestead exceeding in value and 
productiveness an amount that would comfortably 
provide such family with the necessaries of life. 
All surplus accumulated, as shown by the yearly 
assessments, must be paid into the common treas- 
ury as taxes and expended for the public good, on 
public works, in education, and for public charities. 
Land laws, whereby the surface of the earth is re- 
served to the use of the largest number and the 
holding of large tracts prohibited, tend to keep 
an equality of real property. Inheritance laws, 


THE LAST WAR 


69 


whereby properties are compelled to be distributed, 
prohibit the long continuance of great estates. So 
that to-day the people are neither rich nor poor, in 
the sense that they were 500 years ago, but all are 
either moderately wealthy, or at least have many of 
the comforts and all of the necessaries of life. 
Ambition is not quenched, ability is recognized, 
property rights are private to a large extent and 
thus more enjoj^able than if wholly public, and 
taxation is reduced to a minimum. 

“While this is so and while the old form of cor- 
porations is abolished, the new form of co-opera- 
tive industries, whereby vast works may be done 
which need the support of great capital, by the 
combination of great numbers of small estates, still 
permits private persons, under the watchful care 
of government, to engage in world-wide commerce, 
or in the manufacture of the articles that the peo- 
ple use and consume. These industries, while ac- 
complishing the work, permit also the fruits and 
profits to be enjoyed by the workmen; and it has 
become as honorable and profitable to perform the 
mechanical parts of manufacturing as to care for 
the sales and manage the business. He who has 
ability leads, whether the ability be in the line of 
making articles or in the line of selling them after 
they are made. 

“Such laws, the outgrowth of years of study and 
experiment, have taken away the war between 
capital and labo~ have abolished the distinctions 


70 


THE LAST WAR 


between wealth and poverty, and have made a na- 
tion of true freemen out of a nation which, ap- 
parently at that day, was becoming an aristocracy 
ruling an rrmy of seifs. As a result, a vast number 
of property-holders (for every man has a home- 
stead) compose a nation which has arrived close 
upon the ideal of living and governing, and which, 
having grown up in the love and patriotic devo- 
tion of its people, has more stable foundations than 
any other in the world. 

"Naturally the change in conditions has been 
wrought in accordance with the teachings of edu- 
cational influences that have led rather than kept 
pace with them. We note with the greatest satis- 
faction that the various religions which have Chris- 
tianity as their basis have thrown off the bigotry of 
former days, have cut off the pagan superstitions 
which hampered them to a large degree, and have 
more nearly approached to that brotherly condi- 
tion which prevailed in the first five centuries of 
the life of that faith. So that no more do men, 
whether methodist, baptist or catholic, or of any 
other denomination — no more do they stand ready 
to fight each other, but recognize and work 
with each other, holding the salvation of men to be 
of more importance than the manner in which it 
is accomplished. I have heretofore spoken about 
the great schism that occurred when the Roman 
church affiliated with the Greek and became 
merged into the new political and spiritual despot- 


THE LAST WAR 


7 1 


ism, led by the Czar-pope, and that the better 
part of that church denounced and separated itself 
from, much to the advancement of the separatists. 
In every country which now belongs to the Alli- 
ance these sentiments apply, but not so in the 
dominions under the rule of the Emperor. 

“As to the change in customs and manners, we 
may notice only two instances. Educational in- 
fluences, bringing enlightenment to the former 
ignorant and degraded classes of 500 years ago, 
have lifted them to a higher moral as well as 
political plane. The system of destroying the 
agencies that cause crime and of treating the crim- 
inal as a diseased person, rather than as an outcast 
to be punished, has reduced criminality to a min- 
imum. For instance, one great cause of evil in 
the period of which we speak was the widespread 
intemperance in the use of alcoholic drinks and 
of narcotics. Almost one-half of the population 
seems to have been addicted to such evil habits, or 
diseases, as they are now more properly called. 
The laws that have been enacted as the fruit of 
a sentiment engendered by proper education have 
removed stimulants and narcotics from the reach 
of the multitude, and have caused treatment of 
such habits in regular institutes maintained for 
that purpose at public expense. These hospitals 
and the segregation of incurables have removed a 
very deteriorating influence from the people. 

“Again, as to customs, we shall notice only that 


72 


THE LAST WAR 


relating to marriage and divorce. The marriage of 
diseased persons, of persons who were not suited to 
live in each other’s society, and of persons who 
were mentally or morally deficient, was a source of 
crime and of deterioration of the race in the nine- 
teenth century. People so little understood the 
laws of their being and were such slaves to impulse 
and passion that they abused their liberty of action 
in marrying. Laws of divorce were such, and in- 
deed the religious teachings of many churches were 
so stringent, that one who was mismated was often 
compelled to lead a life of unhappiness and misery 
or be driven into a life of crime. Again, education, 
inducing a proper sentiment that soon compelled 
wise legislation, arose to combat the evils of the 
marriage relation. Then, fraud, lying and perjury 
were resorted to in order to establish a cause for 
divorce. It was easy to marry, but not so easy to 
obtain a release from an unsuitable marriage. Now, 
persons may not easily marry, must be under con- 
tract to marry one year before marriage, must sub- 
mit to physical as well as to moral examination, and 
finally must take upon themselves the covenants 
of a binding contract. Then, if happiness do not 
attend the marriage, or if it be discovered that de- 
ception has been practiced by one, or that any part 
of the marriage covenant has been violated, an 
action may be brought to sever the relationship; or, 
if both parties agree, they may, by a due renuncia- 
tion of the relationship, executed before the proper 


THE LAST WAR 


73 


officers and duly published to the world, free them- 
selves from the obligations of the contract, upon 
making proper provision for the children of such 
marriage. As the result of such regulations, di- 
vorces are less frequent, and crime, growing out ot 
troubles incident to evil marriage, has been reduced 
to a minimum. 

“What we have said of conditions in our midst 
applies more or less to all the countries of the 
Anglo-American Alliance, although in some the 
improvement has been less rapid because the diffi- 
culties of race and religion 'have opposed strong 
obstacles. We cannot pause to point out the 
progress of each nation. But so rapid and so 
beneficial to the people have these reforms been 
that there is no shadow of chance that ever again 
darkness and superstition will possess the enlight- 
ened nations. 

“It is this very progress, this throwing down of 
error and its consequent freedom to man, that has 
influenced the Emperor, not only to banish from 
his dominions the bearers of light, but even to 
attempt to crush the enlightened peoples of Europe 
and of Asia so that he may possess his continent in 
peace and have his absolute dominion untroubled 
henceforth. It is because these reforms have made 
of us a strong, enlightened people, one physically 
and morally more nearly perfect than the races 
over which he reigns, that the issue of this con- 
test will not be doubtful, but will, as I hope and 


74 


THE LAST WAR 


believe, result in his annihilation and in the open- 
ing of his dominion and people to reformation and 
to enlightenment. 

“Briefly recapitulating, the last five centuries 
have seen English become the world-language in 
all nations except those ruled by the Czar-pope; 
they have seen the former laboring classes lifted 
from poverty to an equal enjoyment of the fruits of 
their labor; they have seen such wonderful im- 
provement in transportation and in distribution 
that the world is really one vast municipality in 
which every part responds to the needs of every 
other part; they have seen the breaking down of 
error and the separation of bigotry and of religion 
into distinct elements and locations; they have 
seen the elimination of crime by prevention of its 
causes and by treatment of those affected, and, 
finally, the readjustment of private relations to a 
more reasonable basis. As a result, while not yet 
perfect, the people are approaching human perfec- 
tion, individuals, are healthy, moral, and, for the 
most part, God-fearing. And as a further result, 
the gulf between evil and right has widened to 
such an extent that only war remains — war to the 
end — war which will result in the annihilation of 
the forces now guarding evil. 

“We pause to inquire — what afterward? Wise 
heads are now pondering that question. Now, 1 
can see but one answer. When the nations of the 
Emperor’s territory shall have been conquered, we 


THE LAST WAR 


75 


must rule the living adult population with such 
kindness that we may gain their confidence, and 
we must educate the children in our own manners 
and customs, compelling obedience where reason 
shall fail and turning those countries into one vast 
training school in order to make proper men and 
. women of them before we admit them to self-gov- 
ernment. The world-language must be made their 
language; the customs of the enlightened world 
must be made their customs. But, as these man- 
ners and customs will, when enforced, result in 
good to the individuals, I do not apprehend there 
will be much turmoil or resistance. 

“In conclusion, let every student stand ready to 
lend his or her aid if reverses should come. Life, 
property and pleasure must submit to the national 
good. Victory means the end of all wars.” 

The teacher ceased, and for the space of a 
minute there was absolute silence. Then a sub- 
dued acclamation broke forth, indicative of the 
enthusiasm that his words had awakened in the 
hearts of his hearers. 


CHAPTER VII. 


HOME. 

Having taken an affectionate leave of teachers 
and friends at the university, Wellington and New- 
man went immediately to the Grand Central sta- 
tion, where the electric elevated car lines from all 
over the country came together, and there took 
train for their homes, Wellington going east and 
Newman west. 

“To meet to-morrow !” said Wellington, giving 
Newman’s hand a warm farewell pressure. 

“And then to cross the wide sea together!” was 
the response. 

The tinkle of a warning bell notified them that 
the moment of departure had come and they darted 
into doors which suddenly opened to the yards, and 
each passed into his respective car with other hur- 
rying people. A moment later another hell in- 
dicated the start, the car doors were closed, and the 
long, low, narrow vehicles, running on wheels be- 
low and guided by wheels above, darted noiselessly 
away and passed over plain and hill with a rushing 
hiss indicative of high speed and of easy motion. 
Fleeting glimpses of the scenery passed by the 
windows of the car. A soft light diffused itself 
throughout the interior, and the neat, dustless 
furniture was as comfortable and graceful as that 
76 


THE LAST WAR 


77 


of any parlor. Wellington enjoyed the two hours’ 
ride, his pleasure being heightened by the knowl- 
edge that a sweet welcome awaited him at the end 
of his journey. As he looked out upon the gardens 
and dwellings of his country, the beautiful villages 
and the stately cities, where rough and squalid 
architecture and surroundings were unknown, he 
felt his heart swell with patriotism. It was worth 
engaging in a deadly war that these institutions 
might he perpetuated and distributed to the igno- 
rant of that semi-civilized world into which he 
expected shortly to go. 

At the station nearest to his home he descended 
from the car and found an electrocycle awaiting 
him. Its uniformed driver gave him a cordial 
greeting as an old friend, and swiftly conveyed him 
ia it over paved roads to the country homestead 
uhere his aged mother and his sisters dwelt. His 
home was a roomy cottage of quaint design, stand- 
ing on the brow of a hill overlooking the blue 
waters of Lake Erie. A grove of hardwood trees, 
so arranged that they seemed to have grown as 
nature, and not man, directed, surrounded the 
buildings, and beyond these lay well-kept gardens 
and fields. All along the graded and paved 
road similar homes were to be seen. Twenty 
broad acres were embraced in his farm, every foot 
of which bore fruitfully under the scientific care 
of an old gardener who had lived with his family 


78 


THE LAST WAR 


many years. They bore all of the necessaries of 
life and furnish, d many of the luxuries. 

But besides the homestead, which has been de- 
scribed, the Wellingtons owned personal property 
well up to the limit of the law and were prominent 
citizens of the county and state in which they lived. 
Indeed. General Wellington had been governor of 
the state one term, and Mis. Wel.ington had held 
prominent positions in the educational and in ti e 
charitable branches of government. As men and 
women of legal age and mental and moral qualifi- 
cations were equal in all matters touching govern- 
ment, and held and exercised equal rights of citi- 
zens, so Wellington’s family had been honored in 
both its branches. 

A warm welcome greeted the young man as he 
stepped from the conveyance into the yard before 
his home and walked across the velvety grass to 
the portico where his gray-haired mother and his 
fair sisters awaited his coming. In him the 
mother saw her husband reproduced, and fondly 
hoped that he might equal his sire in achievements. 
She was glad, therefore, that so responsible an of- 
fice as aide to the commander had been given him, 
while sorrowful and apprehensive because it wou’d 
carry him into’ danger. His two sisters, ju 
emerging from girlhood into a more stately worn 
anhood, came down to meet him, a d brought him 
arm-in-arm to their mother, asking him a hundred 


THE LAST WAR 


79 


questions, and divided between laughter and tears 
because of his prospects. 

As he could stay but a few hours, all duties were 
laid aside and the afternoon passed quickly away, 
while neighbors and friends came in to say farewell 
and to congratulate their young friend upon his 
advancement. The spacious parlors were open 
hospitably until evening, and many came to greet 
the soldier. But Wellington was all-impatient to 
visit his friend, Yera Hathaway, whose home stood 
on a hill not far distant, where he knew she wou'd 
expect him to come. Thither at nightfall he went, 
and remained there an hour. Received hospitably 
by the parents of the fair lady, he found yet a 
warmer welcome from Yera, who divined his pur- 
pose. And that he obtained her consent to become 
his wife in the prescribed year and a day was evi- 
dent later when they emerged from the house and 
walked in the beautiful park near by, oblivious to 
all except each other. 

At eight o’clock, accompanied by Yera, he re- 
turned to his own home, where he found that a 
farewell reception had bem anangcd and where 
fully one hundred of the neighbors from far and 
near were assembled. His sisters made him put on 
his official uniform and were very proud of him. A 
collation was served, in which appeared the finest 
fruits plucked that day in the Gulf states, or in 
sunny California, fresh trout from the mountains 
of Hew England, whose cool streams abound in 


8o 


THE LAST WAR 


them, fresh meats from the grazing lands of the 
Eocky mountains, and vegetables from their own 
gardens. Cool, pure water from artesian wells 
was the drink. 

Then, after the guests were gone, after Welling- 
ton had taken an affectionate leave of Vera at her 
father’s door, he sat an hour talking with his 
mother, advising as to business matters, while his 
sisters were busy arranging his wardrobe for the 
coming campaign. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


THE GENERAL. 

After several hours of refreshing sleep Welling- 
ton took leave of his friends and sped away to 
Washington, eager to begin the duties of his office. 
He found that Newman had arrived from his home 
in the mountains of Colorado several minutes be- 
fore and was waiting at the station. 

“I left my friends on a mountain, looking after 
me as I came over the Nebraskan plains,” said he. 
“How did you leave yours?” 

“Very well, but not on a mountain top. To us 
is the excitement; to them the weary waiting and 
anxiety.” 

“But I perceive by your countenance that you 
are happy. I can guess the double reason. Vera, 
no doubt, has now legal claims to mourn your 
absence. Well, she is worthy! I myself, were I 
less frivolous, would ere this have spoken to your 
eldest sister. But I shall wait till the war is 
over.” 

“You would have my permission and that of 
my mother. I can hardly answer for the sister; 
but I remarked that she was interested in your 
appointment.” 

“I shall have a conversation with her by photo- 
phone before I leave. Now to headquarters!” 

81 


82 


THE LAST WAR 


Ten minutes later they were ushered into the 
presence of the General, in whose grasp lay the 
destiny of the world. They found him busy re- 
ceiving reports and sending dispatches. But he 
greeted them cordially and rested a moment from 
his labors to converse. His discourse was in- 
tended, however, to acquaint them with the state 
of affairs so that they might intelligently begin 
their duties. He said: 

“You come in good time, gentlemen. 1 am now 
issuing final instructions preparatory to leaving 
for the front. We shall go in two hours. I hope 
to be in Paris by evening. My presence is needed 
there, and as I have completed arrangements for 
concentrating and forwarding the American con- 
tingent to Europe and have issued the general 
orders for the concentration of the troops of other 
nations, I can do no more here. Your duties 
begin at once. You, Wellington, shall oversee the 
sending and receiving of dispatches, and it will be 
your duty to explain, if necessary, my plans to the 
various generals. You, Newman, shall receive 
from Wellington information which jmu must 
record and transmit only to the president of 
United America, since he is the president also of 
the Anglo-American Alliance, and, as such, chair- 
man of the congress. He will submit such por- 
tions of your hourly or daily reports as he may 
judge fit to be made public at the present time. 

“Before we go, Mr. Newman, it is necessary that 


THE LAST WAR 


83 


you report in person to the president and receive 
his instructions. You may state to him that my 
general plan at the present time is to concentrate 
sufficient force to drive back Dolgorousk from 
United Europe, while employing the Indian and 
Australian armies combined to break through the 
mountains north of India and invade the central 
portion of his dominions. A sufficient army has 
been gathered in central Africa to oppose the 
Abyssinians. I have just issued orders to the 
united European and African fleets to hold the 
Straits of Gibraltar at all hazards, and, though out- 
numbered, they will do so, aided by the batteries 
on Gibraltar fortress. This is done in order to 
prevent the Russian fleet from emerging into the 
ocean to assail the American transports. Similar 
precautions have been taken to prevent the 
issuance of the enemy’s Baltic fleet. I have also 
ordered half of the American air fleet to proceed 
at once to the aid of Ostrand, in order to stop the 
devastation of Germany by the enemy’s air fleet. 
Report at once to the president, Colonel Newman.” 

Newman’s face flushed with pleasure. The title 
given him by the general was the first intimation 
he had that he was an officer of the staff with the 
rank of colonel. He saluted respectfully and 
withdrew. General Mitchell continued his dis- 
course to Wellington: 

“Your commission as major-general has already 
been prepared and is now in the hands of the 


84 


THE LAST WAR 


president. As such you will act as my chief of 
staff. I deemed it necessary to give you this rank 
so that in event of accident to me in a crisis you 
may take instant command and carry out my plans. 
Of course such command would be only temporary 
and the Allied Congress would immediately confer 
the chief command upon one to be selected; but, 
as you will know and understand all my plans, and 
you alone, it will be your duty to continue the 
execution of those plans in case I should fall at 
a time when the lack of a guiding hand might 
prove fatal. If you are composed of the material 
of which your father was made (and I think yon 
are) you will be able to meet every demand. That 
you are technically able to do so I have learned 
from the regent of the university, who reports that 
your military training has shown in you great ex- 
cellence.” 

He paused a moment, and Wellington seized the 
opportunity to murmur his thanks. The general 
did not seem to notice the words from his young 
officer, but, as if relieved to have some one with 
whom he might discuss his plans confidentially, he 
continued after a moment: 

“I am at loss to understand why Ostrand con- 
tinues to fall back without defending the fortress 
of Vienna. I have commanded him to hold it at 
all hazards, and if he does not I shall order him to 
the rear and appoint another in his stead. Nor 
can I understand why Dolgorousk has not assailed 


THE LAST WAR 


85 


him while he was leaving the. works. It may be 
that the shrewd old Russian has been delayed in 
concentrating his troops, or he may move slowly in 
order to devastate the country. But his delay will 
be fatal to his cause. For already a portion of the 
African contingent is passing through Paris and 
our transports are now half way across the At- 
lantic. 

“The enemy now have in Europe, pressing upon 
Vienna, 8,000,000 men armed with repeating rifles, 
and their cannon number 28,000; their automobile 
electrocycles, armored, number 40,000. They 
are clad, so far as the troops are concerned, in the 
old-fashioned bullet-proof armor. Their air fleet 
numbers about 4,000 vessels, many of which are 
very swift. Were not all the approaches to Paris 
securely protected by ground batteries, whose fire 
would destroy the air fleet, I should expect at any 
moment to hear that the European capital is burn- 
ing. I fear very much for Berlin and the great 
cities on the coast. To oppose this array I shall 
have concentrated upon Strasburg within forty- 
eight hours almost 7,000,000 of men, 30,000 arm- 
ored electrocycles, and 4,000 airships. Our can- 
non will number about 20,000, but 4,000 of these 
will be the improved dynamic pattern, whose range 
is ten miles more than any cannon that Dolgorousk 
has, and with these alone shall I destroy his power. 
Then, too, our improved bullet-proof clothing will 
save our soldiers from any except heavy, crushing 


86 


THE LAST WAR 


shot, while the explosive contained in the shells 
of the long-range cannon will destroy a regiment 
at a blow. I do not fear the result.” 

Much more did the General say descriptive of 
the operations about to be begun, the materials to 
be employed, the methods of transportation and 
the means of feeding the immense hosts which 
were about to engage in a deadly struggle for 
supremacy. Gigantic as were the operations, the 
plans which he had made seemed to be complete 
in every detail. Wellington felt his enthusiasm 
rise and his confidence in the favorable issue of 
the war become strong. 

Presently Newman returned, pleased with the 
reception given him by the president. Many offi- 
cers came and went. But the General was calm. 
He exhibited no excitement, no hurry, no con- 
fusion. His demeanor gave courage to all and his 
orders met with quick obedience. 

Finally Mitchell, accompanied by several of his 
staff, among whom were Wellington and Newman, 
made an official visit to the president and his 
council, and received their final admonitions and 
good wishes. He then took a special train to New 
York. 

The run to New York was very swift. The line 
was cleared of all trains and no stops were 
made. The road was the Great Central, whose 
smooth track and elegant appointments showed 
the enterprising nature of the company that 


THE LAST WAR 


8 7 


operated it. A speed of 300 miles an hour was 
maintained. It was, therefore, a very short jour- 
ney when calculated in time. On the way, the 
General continued his correspondence with the 
various divisions of his army by means of the fly- 
ing telegraph, which even in that day was so per- 
fected that no greater difficulty was met in receiv- 
ing and in sending telegrams than would be in the 
stationary offices. 

When about midway on his journey, General 
Mitchell received news which caused a cloud to 
appear upon his countenance. It was that General 
Ostrand had abandoned the defenses of Vienna 
and was falling rapidly back into Bavaria and 
Switzerland after a brisk cannonade had been 
exchanged with the enemy. This news caused 
him to order in advance the swiftest airship of the 
great Aerial Transit company to be prepared so 
that he might not be delayed in crossing the ocean. 

At New York an immense crowd surrounded 
the station as the General and his staff descended 
from the car and passed rapidly across the plat- 
form to the yard of the Transit company, where 
the great airship was tugging at its anchors, with 
its machinery oiled, its batteries in order, and its 
apartments fitted up for its distinguished guest. 
Ten minutes later, amid the thunder of salutes 
from warships and the cheers of the multitude, 
the great ship Aluminium shot into the sky, 
turned its beak to the east and darted out over the 


THE LAST WAR 


ocean with, rapidity uneqnaled by any other con- 
veyance known to man. Within the round, lux- 
urious parlor the General and his. officers sat and 
chatted, while the hum of machinery, the buzz 
of propellers and the hiss of the air, as it parted 
and closed about the long, round body of the ship, 
made a subdued noise scarcely perceptible to their 
ears, but which caused the mariners in the sea 
below to start and look upward with wonder at the 
fleeting shadow passing eastward. 


CHAPTER IX. 


THE HEADQUARTERS AT PARIS. 

The heavens were calm, the sea rolled in long, 
low swells, the winds did not oppose the flight of 
the airship, but followed, lagging, after, and na- 
ture seemed to favor the progress of him in whose 
mind lay the safety of the world. The sea gulls 
turned an inquiring eye upward, wondering at the 
swiftly passing body. An hour elapsed. Two 
hours rolled away. The magnificent vessel crossed 
the half-way line between the continents. At the 
end of the third hour the passengers in the air- 
ship, looking down upon the sea, perceived a vast 
number of swift vessels pushing eastward. Thou- 
sands of transports, hundreds of long, narrow, 
armored craft, carrying in them engines of 
destruction; huge, metal-clad ships, whose power- 
ful batteries, loaded with explosive shells, might 
destroy the heaviest fortifications, were spread out 
in a vast arc — the American navy carrying the 
re-enforcements to United Europe. 

A signal fluttered from the crest of the Alumin- 
ium, and, in a moment, a vast roar from thousands 
of heavy guns floated up in a salute to the passing 
commander, such that the sound-waves seemed to 
beat upon the airship’s sides and cause them to 
tremble. Heaven’s thunder never gave forth a 
89 


90 


THE LAST WAR 


greater volume of sound. General Mitchell stood 
at one of the glass portholes in the ship’s side and 
looked down upon the vessels below, now covered 
with masses of exulting soldiers, while the guns 
thundered their salute and flags dipped from tur- 
rets. A proud light shone in his blue eyes as he 
turned to his officers and said: 

“With that army alone I could conquer the 
world! No such soldiers ever lived as they. 
Brave, intelligent, obedient, they will use the war 
machines to such advantage that no army, how- 
ever large, shall be able to stand before them. If 
only Ostrand will hold out till they come!” 

But the line of ships, swift as they were, faded 
from sight and the Aluminium sped on toward 
land. Soon the islands of Great Britain, 
the hive whence arose the English-speaking 
races, came into view on the left, while the 
dark outline of the coast of France spread out to 
the front and right. Some minutes more of rapid 
flight, followed by a slower and still slower prog- 
ress, brought the great ship over the magnificent 
city of Paris, the capital of United Europe, the 
home of an enlightenment and a liberty such as 
Europe had not hitherto known. Here the vessel 
hovered a moment. Then, in obedience to the 
downward force of propellers, it sank slowly and 
surely to its place in the yards of the Transit com- 
pany, while the thunder of salutes from fortifica- 
tions and the cheers of a vast and frantic multi- 


THE LAST WAR 


9i 


tude informed the commander that his coming 
had been announced and that he was welcome. 

Intense excitement had thrilled the masses of 
Paris, as indeed it had also the whole of United 
Europe, during the past few hours. The pop- 
ulace, reading the bulletins which reported the 
failure of Ostrand to delay the enemy at Vienna, 
had imagined that in a few hours the thunder of 
battle would be heard in Paris. Vienna was in 
flames. The enemy’s columns were pressing for- 
ward into Bavaria. It was high time that the 
general-in-chief should come. 

The general was greeted at the station by Melin, 
president of United Europe, and was conveyed at 
once to his headquarters in the war department, 
near old Versailles. But few moments were spent 
in official greetings. Without news of the war for 
six hours, Mitchell was anxious to receive reports. 
All persons other than his staff were excluded 
from the great building. Without waiting to 
partake of the refreshments that had been pro- 
vided for him, and followed only by Wellington 
and an official stenographer, he stepped into the 
private office, known as the intelligence room. 

Here came together, from all parts of the world, 
the great lines of communication. Here the tele- 
graph, the photophone, the spectroscope, and the 
pictograph had most elaborate and expensive in- 
struments in readiness for instant use. The room 
was 1 00 feet square, in height, length and breadth. 


92 


THE LAST WAR 


One side of this room was occupied by a large 
receiver of the spectroscope, the polished surface 
of which would truthfully reflect all the light- 
waves conveyed to it from the observer in the 
fields perhaps a thousand miles away. At another 
side was the photophone in a recess, wherein one 
standing might converse in ordinary tones with 
another far away, and at the same time see that 
other in a reflector similar to the larger one used 
in the spectroscope previously mentioned. Auto- 
matic phonographs received the words spoken, 
conveyed them to writing machines and produced 
copies as desired. Or the words so spoken were 
received and by an intricate mechanism conveyed 
to an electric key and by it dispatched over the 
conductors to whatever point one might indicate 
on a keyboard. 

All the modern conveniences had been utilized 
by the war departments of the various nations of 
the world. Field stations at short intervals in 
every county and city had been established and 
conning towers had been erected on every eleva- 
tion. From these, communications could be had 
direct with the war office, or with any part of the 
world, by switches connected with the trunk lines 
of electric conductors. Also field observatories, 
mounted on swift electrocycles, could be used. 
At night, powerful electric rays from great search- 
lights would aid in transmitting a constant flow 
of light-waves to the receiver. On account of the 


THE LAST WAR 


93 


proximity of United Europe to the dominions of 
the Emperor, this war office was fitted up more 
completely than any other in the world. 

Mitchell now gave an order to the central office 
of the bureau of communication that all lines 
should be cleared in order that he might take an 
uninterrupted survey of the field of war. He 
touched an annunciator marked /‘Vienna/’ In- 
stantly there appeared upon the receiver of the 
spectroscope a bird’s-eye view of Vienna and its 
vicinity. Wellington involuntarily uttered an ex- 
clamation of dismay. For the reflection of a 
great city in flames appeared, while around it, 
passing rapidly westward, were vast columns of 
troops, moving on countless vehicles up the valley 
of the. Danube. The general studied this view a 
moment, then, with clouded brow, caused the view 
to sweep slowly westward until eastern Switzer- 
land and Bavaria came upon the scene. Here 
were perceived the masses of Ostrand’s army, part 
hurrying through the passes of the mountains, and 
part, composing the rear, tearing up roads and 
bridges by means of powerful explosives. Again 
the view was changed and slowly passed over 
southern Germany and Saxony. Smoke arising 
in different sections indicated the ravaging work 
of the enemy’s air fleet. 

“A war of extermination!” exclaimed the Gen- 
eral. 

Then, after returning the reflector to the coun- 


94 


THE LAST WAR 


try lying between the hostile armies and studying 
it a moment, he stepped to the photophone and 
ordered connection to he made with Ostrand’s 
headquarters. A moment later a tall, slender 
figure appeared in the reflector and saluted. It 
was General Ostrand. 

“What is the situation, general?” asked Mitch- 
ell, calmly, though there was an unwonted stern- 
ness in his tone. 

“Bad!” came the response. “We are outnum- 
bered three to one. I can preserve the air fleet 
only by keeping it under the protection of my 
batteries. My troops are tired and demoralized. 
Vienna could not be held. We are now in the 
mountains, but the enemy is moving on into Ba- 
varia. We are in danger of annihilation! Where 
are the Americans?” 

It was evident from his nervous deportment 
that Ostrand was laboring under strong emotion, 
either of fear or passion. Mitchell again spoke: 

“My orders were that you should hold the 
works around Vienna at all hazards, and I be- 
lieve you could have held out three or four days, 
when we should have been able to help yon. 
Your discretion has been abused. You are a 
timid man, general, and I now direct you to turn 
over your command at once to Gen. Wolsely and 
report to the military board at Paris, which will 
investigate your conduct. Order Wolsely to 
speak with me.” 


THE LAST WAR 


95 


OstrancPs face became very pale and he seemed 
about to answer harshly, but restrained himself 
and disappeared. A moment later a younger man 
of leonine countenance, whose black mustache 
and dark, heavy hair stood out combatively, ap- 
peared and saluted. Already the young general 
had won a reputation as a brilliant fighter. It 
was he who was in command of the rear division 
of the European army. 

To him General Mitchell said: 

“General Wolsely, you now assume command of 
the army in place of Ostrand. Issue your orders 
to that effect at once. I desire that you take 
measures to stop the advance of the enemy. To 
that end, , leave detachments to guard the passes 
through the Tyrol, march the bulk of your army 
into Bavaria, and take position with your right 
resting on the Alps, your left on the Hoehnstauf- 
fen, and your center at Ulm. Destroy all ap- 
proaches for twenty miles in your front, mount 
your powerful guns so as to cover the principal 
roads, and keep that position until ordered to 
retire or advance. Before to-morrow morning I 
hope to have the American contingent at Stras- 
burg; and you will receive before night 500,000 
xAfricans, who are now on the way. I desire you 
to fight-’ — not to retreat. Do you understand ?” 

“I understand perfectly, General. We shall not 
take one step further in retreat,” said Wolsely. 

“Very well. Fear not for your flanks — I will 


96 


THE LAST WAR 


guard them. Order your air fleet to attack the 
scattered vessels of the enemy now burning the 
homesteads in Saxony. I will order to your aid 
the American air fleet from Gibraltar, where it 
must now be. Do not fear to fight Dolgorousk. 
His divisions are separated and scattered from 
Vienna to Munich. He cannot concentrate inside 
of five hours, and then it will be night.” 

The General left the photophone and turned 
again to the spectroscope, which he caused to re- 
flect Gibraltar and its vicinity. Here was seen 
the vast fortress, the command of which in times 
of old made the Anglo-Saxons masters of the Med- 
iterranean, and near it, in the bays and stretched 
out in a semicircle from the shore of Spain to 
that of Africa, the fleet of Admiral Neils in bat- 
tle array. There stood the heavy ironclad sea 
forts in grim line, with their terrific guns ready 
to strike with projectiles the approaching enemy, 
while in front, like sentinels, the submarine boats 
with deadly explosives waited until the enemy 
should come within view, and in the rear were 
smaller craft, whose office it was to throw bombs of 
dynamic powder, which falling near the stoutest 
ship would send death to its crew or sink the 
craft. Twenty miles eastward was seen the vast 
fleet of the Emperor slowly advancing, its wings 
touching the opposite continents, its great guns 
replying at intervals to the long-range cannon on 
Gibraltar. Above both fleets, wheeled air vessels, 


THE LAST WAR 


97 


observing the enemy and signaling to their re- 
spective friends below. In the distance, west- 
ward, a long line of vessels in midair was seen, like 
a flight of wild fowl, rapidly approaching land — 
the advance guard of the American air fleet. 

General Mitchell communicated with the com- 
mander at Gibraltar, ordering him to signal the 
American air fleet to report at once to headquar- 
ters at Paris, and to inform Admiral Neils th .t 
the American ocean fleet was within five hours’ 
sail of Gibraltar, and would, when present, enable 
him to take the offensive. 

Having satisfied himself as to the condition of 
affairs at the two most important points of con- 
tact between the hostile lines, Mitchell now turned 
his attention to the frontier between India and 
Greater Russia. The spectroscope accurately 
showed the various paths and fortresses leading 
through the mountains into Afghanistan and 
Persia. From these observations and from re- 
ports by telegraph he learned that neither hostile 
army had succeeded in forcing way through the 
passes, and that already the Australian army was 
touching the shores near Calcutta. Reiterating 
his orders that the Indian and Australian armies 
should consolidate and force their way along the 
Persian gulf into Syria and Armenia, the general 
next examined the condition of matters in Africa. 
Here the hostile armies stood face to face along 
the frontier of Abyssinia, as if reluctant to force 


98 


THE LAST WAR 


matters. The African army hesitated to attack 
because it had been weakened by the withdrawal 
of re-enforcements to send to Europe. The Abys* 
sinians hesitated from some unknown cause. 
Leaving orders for General Bennett to stand on 
the defensive for the pr:s;nt, General Mitchell 
turned his attention to the Pacific ocean. 

He had previously ordered the Australian fleet 
and the Pacific division of the American fleet in 
that ocean to concentrate at Hongkong. He ob- 
served now with satisfaction that the concentra- 
tion had been effected. He now ordered the fleet 
thus combined to assail the Emperor’s Pacific fleet, 
which was gathered in the sea adjacent to the 
Japan islands, and to co-operate with the Indian 
army of defense at Pekin. The Indian fleet was 
directed to support the army for the present, but 
to hold itself in readiness to enter the Red sea 
and to force its way through the several Suez and 
Nile canals in order to attack the enemy’s fleet on 
the Mediterranean in the rear. 

Having now surveyed the several fields of oper- 
ations and issued the necessary orders, the General 
turned from his labors and with his staff sat down 
to dine at a table, which deft attendants brought 
into the private office and spread. He had this 
done in order that he might, while eating, follow 
by spectroscope the movements of General Wo'se 
ly and the enemy, in which centered the greatest 
interest. Therefore, while refreshing themselves. 


THE LAST WAR 


99 


the officers watched the movements of the troops 
which poured down out of the Tyrolese Alps into 
the plains of Bavaria, and on their swift vehicles 
rapidly took up the defensive position assigned to 
them. 


CHAPTER X. 


THE CONCENTRATION OF AN ARMY. 

The news service of the war office at Paris was as 
perfect as any in the world at that time. Every 
moment dispatches came from the central office, 
and passing first through the hands of the staff 
officers, who selected only the important items for 
the commander’s notice, kept minute account of 
all movements on the part of the various allied 
armies and full accounts of such observations as 
could be had of the enemy’s forces. Information 
was derived not only from observation, but from a 
secret spy service, hundreds of daring men pene- 
trating the enemy’s country and delving as best 
they could into the plans of the hostile forces. 
The telegraph, the photophone, and the picto- 
graph were kept busy. By means of the latter 
instrument, plans and views of the enemy’s works, 
taken sometimes from airship and again from 
drawings made by spies, and photographed, were 
transmitted to the office and reprinted in lifelike 
colors on a reduced scale upon the sensitive plates 
of the receiver. Such records were carefully pre- 
served, and when properly indexed furnished a 
very important part of the commander’s portfolio. 

The commander was most deepty interested in 
the movements of Gen. Wolsely during the after- 


ioo 


THE LAST WAR 


IOI 


noon. The spectroscope, with its field of vision 
reduced to a square of ten miles in order that the 
various evolutions of the regiments might be ob- 
served, was almost constantly employed in fol- 
lowing the European army, in observing the on- 
ward movement of the Russian army and in ex- 
amining the progress of the conflagration in lower 
Germany. Occasionally, however, the view was 
transferred to Gibraltar, where a battle was raging 
between the long-range guns of the hostile fleet 
and the great guns set in the fortress. It was ob- 
served that the enemy made no progress, the sea 
room being too small to operate the great fleet, 
and that, late in the day, the fleet began to retire, 
while the allied fleet, forming a junction with the 
American contingent, advanced far enough to 
allow the combined force to deploy into the open 
sea. 

General Wolsely energetically carried out his in- 
structions. In less than an hour after assuming 
command, he had turned the van of his army 
northward, and his swift pioneers, descending from 
the mountains, tore up all roads and bridges along 
the Lechs and for twenty miles eastward and 
northward, clear to the Danube. The paved ways, 
the magnificent bridges and viaducts, were de- 
stroyed or mined, in order that the onward prog- 
ress of the enemy might be hindered. Works that 
had cost billions of dollars were blown to atoms 
by the terrific force of dynamic powder. While 


102 


THE LAST WAR 


the pioneers were operating thus, long columns of 
electrocycles, bearing infantry, artillery, and am- 
munition, rolled northward at a speed of twenty 
miles an hour and were wheeled into position 
along the line of defense. The air fleet went in 
advance and drove in the skirmishers that were 
desolating lower Germany, but did not go so far 
in advance that they could not retire to the pro- 
tection of the ground batteries if the immense 
fleet of the enemy should attack. The ground 
batteries of rapid-firing guns, swung on pivots so 
that they might be elevated or depressed at pleas- 
ure, could fill the air to a height of two miles with 
bursting projectiles and could effectually prevent 
a hostile fleet from hovering above the army or 
from assailing the smaller fleet. 

About mid-afternoon signals indicated the ap- 
proach of the American air fleet, under Captain 
Phoenix, and orders were flashed to it to stop on 
the new Field of Mars, near Paris, to take on a 
supply of gas and of ar munition, in order that it 
might go into effective service at once. Welling- 
ton was especially interested in these ships, and 
as the spectroscope was turned upon the Field of 
Mars and its range of vision contracted to one- 
half mile square, he could observe very closely the 
magnificent fleet, which presently settled majes- 
tically to anchorage there. These vessels, though 
not so improved as they now are, were the best 
of their kind at that time, Long, slender, arm- 


THE LAST WAR 


103 


ored with hardened aluminium above and below, 
and carrying small but strong rapid-firing guns, 
they were designed to withstand the heaviest ord- 
nance that could be placed in air vessels and to 
resist the ordinary bolts that were then in use 
with ground batteries. Appliances were attached 
in the nature of parachutes to save them from 
sudden descents if disabled, and each carried lines 
with which to aid any injured ship and bear it 
out of battle. The gas chambers were partitioned 
in order that if one were perforated buoyancy 
should not be immediately lost. Stored electricity 
operated the lightest and strongest machinery 
yet invented, and chemicals were carried to furnish 
a temporary supply of gas in case accident should 
cause the loss of that with which the chambers 
were regularly charged. Each vessel carried 
twenty men to operate machinery and guns. All 
vessels were supplied with fireballs and grenades 
with which to destroy fortifications or men over 
which they should pass. 

Ten minutes after the great fleet settled on the 
ne"w Field of Mars, Captain Phoenix, a small man 
of quick motion and sharp profile, entered the war 
office and reported to the commander. 

“Welcome, captain,” said Mitchell, grasping his 
hand in cordial greeting. “Had you a favorable 
passage?” 

“Yes, sir. We met with only one cross-current 
of wind and had only one vessel disabled. That 


104 THE LAST WAR 

vessel broke a propeller and had to be towed by 
two others, which are half an hour in the rear 
with it. We shall be ready for duty in less than 
one hour.” 

“There is need of haste. The enemy’s vessels 
are dropping fire over all of Saxony and southern 
Germany. Notice here on this reflector. Smoke 
arises at various points. Wolsely is now taking 
position for battle with his center at Ulm. The 
enemy’s first division is passing through Munich, 
and that one division is equal in numbers to 
Wolsely’s force. Their second and third divisions 
are approaching Munich rapidly. Your duty is 
to drive in the enemy’s air fleet to the protection 
of their ground batteries and, if you can without 
too much risk, you should aid Wolsely by drop- 
ping Greek fire and grenades into that first 
division of the enemy. But take no risks. Bv 
midnight I will have the whole American con- 
tingent with our long-range guns at Strasburg, 
and by daylight I hope to be able to assail the 
enemy before Ulm. Go now, and God go with 
you!” 

Captain Phoenix saluted and withdrew. He went 
immediately to inspect his vessels and bid them 
make ready for battle. About one hour later, the 
great fleet, amid the thunder of saluting guns 
and the roar of cheering from the populace, arose 
with whirring propellers and outstretched wings. 
Forming in extended order, in two long lines, the 


THE LAST WAR 


105 


sharp beaks were turned toward Saxony, and with 
the speed of the wind the fleet sped away upon its 
deadly errand. 

General Mitchell ssnt orders to Wolsely to sig- 
nal at once the concentration of all his air vessels 
in order that they might join Phoenix in his 
search of the enemy. Then, noticing that the 
great Russian sea fleet was retiring eastward to- 
ward Italy, he directed Admiral Neils to follow 
and endeavor to bring on a battle before the 
enemy could take refuge in the fortified harbors 
of the iEgean sea. Meanwhile signals indicated 
that the transports with the American infantry 
were in sight of Bordeaux. The Bencral there- 
upon directed all arrangements to be made for 
transportation of the whole force, with arms and 
munitions, direct to Strasburg, and to that end 
took possession of all the tracks and trains of the 
various elevated railways connecting Bordeaux 
and the point of concentration. 

From this time until almost sunset no im- 
portant action occurred, only the various orders 
already issued proceeding to fulfillment. Mitchell 
gave most attention to the movements of the air 
fleet in Germany, following its progress as best he 
could with spectroscope and telegraph. He 
traced it with both until, after combination of the 
American and European fleets had been accom- 
plished, it went beyond the limits of the zone 
which had been burned by the enemy. Then 


io6 


THE LAST WAR 


clouds of smoke and a thunderstorm inter- 
rupted the view, and as the local observatories 
had been destroyed by the enemy he was without 
news of its movements for two hours. But, from 
reports afterward rendered, it seems that Phoenix 
placed his ships in extended battle array over a 
space fifty miles wide, and swept down upon the 
scattered destroyers with such speed and force 
that he intercepted and destroyed more than 1,000 
of them before they could retreat to the protec- 
tion of batteries. Then turning fiercely upon the 
main body of the enemy’s fleet, which came out to 
succor the ravagers, he drove it hack with the loss 
of several hundred vessels to the protection of the 
batteries near Munich. Passing over the enemy’s 
first division before it could train its ground bat- 
teries upon him with effect, he let drop a terrible 
shower of bombs loaded with Greek fire, and es- 
caped westward, suffering but little loss. Then, 
keeping his main body well in hand, he stationed 
sentinel ships for 200 miles, within signaling dis- 
tance of each other, along the borders of Saxony 
and Bavaria. 

Meanwhile Wolsely had assumed the position 
assigned to him and was fortifying it. Taking 
advantage of all inequalities of ground to shelter 
his infantry, he ranged the armored electrocycle*, 
which had brought them to position, so that a 
long line of fortalices extended from wing to 
wing, ready to move forward or backward as di- 


THE LAST WAR 


io 7 


rected, or, by remaining stationary, to protect the 
infantry from flying shot and fragments of shells. 
At all exposed points, embankments and trenches 
were made. The batteries of long-range guns 
were placed on all prominent points and pro- 
tected by great embankments of earth, backed by 
the regular metal shields attached to each gun. 
Wolsely possessed a large number of guns whose 
range was twenty miles effective, and which were 
equal to any batteries which Dolgorousk had. By 
the time that the sun should go down — for clouds 
obscured it — Wolsely was ready to resist attack. 

The destruction of roads and bridges had de- 
layed the enemy very much. For, while his 
pioneer corps was strong and well provided with 
materials for reconstruction, he had chosen to 
limit his advance to the south side of the Danube, 
and, as a result, had crowded his roads so that 
great confusion resulted. But, about sundown, 
he came within range of the European batteries 
and suffered severely from a shower of heavy 
bombs with which his van was greeted. Im- 
mediately he rushed forward his great batteries 
and replied to the fire. When darkness fell, thou- 
sands of great guns were bellowing across the 
Lechs and shaking the mountains with vast 
concussions. While his batteries p'ayed thus, not 
without result, he hastened forward the masses of 
his troops, with the design of falling upon 


io8 


THE LAST WAR 


Wolsely’s slender battle line at daybreak next 
morning. 

All night, huge, glowing lights, upheld by float- 
ing airships, revealed the positions of each army 
and enabled the gunners to calculate the distances 
to which they must hurl their bombs. By the 
aid of these, both field commanders arranged their 
forces, strengthened their positions, and laid 
plans for battle. Above the armies hovered the 
air fleets, held in position by their propellers, even 
against winds, and ready to dash forward in obedi- 
ence to orders. 

When darkness fell upon Europe the situation 
was more hopeful to the allies. Wolsely was 
stoutly maintaining his position, while the African 
contingent was forming a second line of battle a 
mile in his rear, and the American contingent was 
nearing Strasburg upon trains running at the 
highest speed attainable. Admiral Neils was 
slowly following the retreating Russian fleet. In 
Africa, the belligerent armies stood waiting and 
watching, being too equal to risk a battle when 
their reserves were absent. In India, the com- 
bined Indian and Australian armies were en- 
camped together before the passes into Persia, 
while in the Pacific ocean the combined Australian 
and American Pacific fleets were moving slowly 
northward’ looking for the enemy. 

General Mitchell, satisfied with the day’s work, 
left instructions to his subordinates to call him if 


THE LAST WAR 


log 

anything extraordinary should happen, and re- 
tired to sleep until midnight. While he was sleep- 
ing Wellington carefully supervised the reception 
of reports and answered telegraphic requests for 
explanations of orders. 

At midnight, the commander closed his office in 
Paris and took train with his staff for Strasburg. 


CHAPTER XI. 


A CAMPAIGN OF GREAT GUNS. 

During the short ride to Strasburg the usually 
silent General discoursed freely with his staff offi- 
cers, outlining his plan of the coming contest and 
commenting upon the probable result. 

“This will he an assault by our left wing com- 
posed wholly of the American troops,” he said. 
“General Wolsely w'th the European army and the 
African contingent will hold his present position. 
General Granger, commanding the Americans on 
the field, will extend h’s array to Nuremberg, ad- 
vancing with 4,000 of our improved long-range 
cannon southward toward the Danube and con- 
necting his right with Wolsely at Donauworth. 
I do not apprehend that close fighting will occur. 
Our guns will crush the Russian first division. 
Our objective point will be Ratisbon. That once 
taken, we shall cui the Russian army in two, one 
of which we shall destroy. For that purpose, the 
pioneer corps will be concentrated above Ratisbon 
preparatory to effecting a crossing under cover of 
our guns. Should the enemy retreat, we shall 
march parallel to his course by the north side of 
the Danube where the roads are not destroyed.” 

After more minute description of the proposed 
action, he became reminiscent, and said: 


no 


THE LAST WAR 


hi 


“The tide of war has often flowed and receded 
through these historic lands. The greatest soldier 
of his age — yes, of a thousand years preceding 
his day — the first Napoleon, marched his vic- 
torious hosts through this land and fought a 
notable battle near Ulm, in which he crushed 
the army of Austria. But war in those days was 
more closely allied to the hand-to-hand combat of 
ancient days, when sword and spear in the hands 
of stout soldiers, rather than strategy on the part 
of the general, decided the battle. As death- 
dealing arms have been improved century after 
century, so the fighting has been most favorable 
to him who had the best instruments of destruc- 
tion. Combatants have slowly separated and the 
range of missile weapons has been increased. First 
the hand-to-hand combat with swords and spears; 
then the combat with arrows; then the combat 
with muskets and short-range cannon, rarely al- 
lowing hand-to hand conflicts; now the battle 
with long-range cannon, when the combatants 
rarely see each other. 

“Five hundred years ago 1,000,000 men under 
arms were considered a very large army. Now 
there are, face to face on the battlefield near 
TJlm, or will be to-morrow, 7,000,000 on the allies’ 
side and 8,000,000 of the Emperor’s men. But 
on our side are people of one language, while on 
his side stand Russians, Mongols and Turks, dif- 
fering in blood and in language. Few in those days 


112 


THE LAST WAR 


imagined the present conditions; but the great 
nations, with one or two exceptions, were keeping 
immense standing armies in hand — immense when 
the territorial size of those nations is considered. 
We are descended from a military race.” 

Much more of the same tenor he said, and all 
his words were received with the closest attention. 
Familiar with the history of arms and armies, he 
was competent to express judgment on those sub- 
jects. 

The car reached Strasburg in less than an hour 
and the General went to his field headquarters. 
These consisted of cars made specially for the 
purpose, and containing, though on a much small- 
er scale, a complete outfit similar to that described 
in the Paris war office. These cars were armored, 
and, like the electrocycles, were automobile, being 
propelled by electric power, and were designed to 
follow the army closely, so that the general com- 
manding in the field might not only have the 
whole battlefield set before him in the spectro- 
scope, but that its various phases might be in- 
delibly pictured on the pictograph and fully re- 
ported by field telegraph and photophone service. 
Connection was also maintained with the trunk 
lines of all these means of communication, in order 
that the general might observe the progress of his 
plans and issue his necessary orders to the armies 
in other parts of the world. The airship service 
was utilized especially for field observation, and 


THE LAST WAR 


1 13 

lines of connection with it supplied the place of 
observatories. 

Entering his headquarters, General Mitchell 
rapidly examined the positions of the contending 
forces and issued his orders for the disposition of 
the American troops on the left of the allied army. 
That force, without descending from the cars 
that had brought it to Strasburg, was for- 
warded at once through Stuttgart to Nordlingen 
and Nuremberg, being distributed from the ele- 
vated roads along the general line between those 
points. When the 3,000,000 men were in their 
places, the American battle line connecting with 
Wolsely behind Ulm, near the Hoehnstauffen hills, 
stretched in a vast arc to Nuremberg, and con- 
tained 1,500,000 men in the front, while the re 
mainder were massed heavily at the extreme left 
•an.d directed to advance slowly upon Ratisbon, in 
support of the great battery of 4,000 long-range 
cannon with which the battle would be opened. 

During the remainder of the hours of darkness, 
the general stayed at Strasburg, watching the prog- 
ress of his left wing and indicating the successive 
positions on the general line that each division 
should take. Before daylight came, he had the 
satisfaction of noting that all positions were taken, 
and that the great hammer of over 1,000,000 men 
and 4,000 of those terrible weapons with which 
he designed smiting the enemy was in place and 
ready for use. Then his cars were attached 


14 


THE LAST WAR 


to a train on the elevated road and were taken 
speedily to Nuremberg. Here they were detached 
and followed the rear of the left wing toward 
Ratisbon. 

Dolgorousk had not been idle during the night. 
He had sent forward batteries containing more 
than 10,000 of his strongest cannon, and had 
planted these in range of Wolsely's first line, with 
the design of overwhelming it under a terrific 
shower of ;bombs. His first division of over 
2,000,000 men supported these guns, while his 
remaining divisions were massed at the rear im- 
mediately west of Munich, ready to march forward 
when the great guns should have opened the way. 
The general seems not to have divined the pur- 
pose of his enemy to come down from the north 
upon Ratisbon; and, as the movement was made 
under the cover of night and under guard of the 
great air fleet with Phoenix, which prevented ob- 
servations in that direction, he had not placed any 
of his batteries to cover that approach. It is said, 
however, that his council of war advised him to 
send one division across at Ratisbon to move upon 
Donau worth, and thus take Wolsely in flank; but 
the testy old general, not knowing that the Amer- 
icans had reached the field, and led on by the 
retreat of Ostrand, refused, stating that he was 
most pleased to have the Europeans await his 
attack. Great was his surprise, therefore, when 
daylight revealed the dense masses of the Amer- 


THE LAST WAR 


115 

ican line to his observers in air vessels, and great 
was his haste to push one of his divisions toward 
the Danube and rush many batteries up to cover 
all crossings. He was not frightened, however. 
He ordered his guns to open upon Wolsely, while 
he attended to the defense of his right flank. 

When the American batteries, stretching to 
right and left in a long line, reached Eichstadt, 
they began firing in order that their influence 
might be felt before Wolsely’s defenses should be 
crushed by the terrific bombardment which broke 
now upon them before Ulm. The range of these 
guns was thirty miles effective; and, as soon a? 
they came within that range, their great explosive 
shells began to drop with precision upon the Rus- 
sian batteries. But they were advanced to a point 
twenty miles from the object of attack and were 
then practically safe from the enemy’s batteries. 

The terrible effect of such bombardment can 
hardly be conceived. The projectiles, filled with 
strongest explosives, fell in the midst of batteries 
and men, and, bursting, hurled heavy guns high 
in air, tore down vast embankments of earth, dug 
great holes in the earth, and not only destroyed 
those who might be within a radius of 500 feet, 
but demoralized those who saw their effect. No 
human endurance could withstand such shocks. 
Within one hour after the bombardment opened, 
the batteries before Ulm were silenced, some of 
them destroyed, and others fleeing from the field. 


ii6 


THE LAST WAR 


As no guns could be planted by him to answer 
this fire, Dolgorousk saw the vast mass on the 
extreme American left advancing without hin- 
drance upon Ratisbon. He could do nothing else 
than order his rear divisions to retreat, while the 
division along the Danube unavailingly sought to 
protect the withdrawal of the advance line from 
before Ulm. 

Now came an awful exhibition of slaughter 
without the means to inflict vengeance. The 
Russian soldiers, the flower of the Emperor’s army, 
bore the brunt of battle with that dogged courage 
which has always distinguished them. Death 
stared them in the face. Comrades were crushed, 
blown into fragments, and stricken down before 
their eyes by the storm of shot; but they stood to 
their guns as long as they were ordered to do so, 
and unavailingly replied to the fire that smote 
them. 

Wolsely, seeing the enemy retire before him, 
now advanced his batteries and added their fire to 
that of the Americans. The American pioneer 
corps, protected by the cannonade, rushed forward 
and began to bridge the river, over which the 
bridges had before been blown up to prevent 
the enemy’s advance. The fact that the bridges 
at Ratisbon were thus down, and that three great 
Russian batteries allowed themselves to be an- 
nihilated in an effort to restrain the American 
pioneers from crossing, alone saved Dolgorousk 


THE LAST WAR 


117 


from losing half of his army. As it was, two of 
his divisions escaped by rapid retreat toward 
Vienna, while one, decimated, covered the retreat 
and destroyed roads and bridges in the rear, and 
the fourth, broken, scattered and routed, dissolved 
and disappeared from the field in a cloud of strag- 
glers, leaving two-thirds of the artillery on the 
field. The allied air fleet pursued and added to 
the enemy’s discomfiture, though the Russian air 
fleet presented a bold front, and the retiring army 
preserved its light protecting artillery in such 
order that Phoenix did not deem it advisable to 
make a general assault. 

The repulse was so complete that Dolgorousk 
did not dream of halting until his army found 
rest near Vienna; nor did he stay there more than 
ten hours, but continued his retreat until his 
shattered forces found refuge at the fortress of 
Belgrade. He left over 1,000,000 men killed and 
wounded, or stragglers, on the field before Ulm, 
and besides lost 12,000 cannon and a vast number 
of other engines of war. His invasion, begun so 
confidently, was stayed and hurled back; his 
hordes retreated to their own territory without 
halt. This victory, gained by the allies without 
the loss of a single battery and with less than 
100,000 men killed or disabled, electrified the civ- 
ilized world and was an auspicious opening to the 
final struggle between light and darkness. 

General Mitchell now directed the African con- 


n8 


THE LAST WAR 


tingent of 500,000 men to return to Africa in 
order that General Bennett might assume the of- 
fensive. Then he put the remainder of his army 
in motion by roads running into and through 
Bohemia, paralleling the line of retreat of the 
enemy, instead of taking up a direct pursuit. So 
that Dolgorousk saw the heads of the pursuing 
columns ever near, ready to strike him if he would 
cease his rapid flight. Crossing the frontier at 
Budapest, he spread his bands north and south 
200 miles, destroying and obstructing roads and 
bridges and rousing the inhabitants to a partisan 
warfare. At Belgrade he halted, to await re-en- 
forcements and to rest his demoralized army. 
Here 2,000,000 soldiers joined him, and his bat- 
teries were replaced out of the vast stores of the 
empire gathered there. Here the hills and valleys 
surrounding the city for fifty miles had been for- 
tified until they were of immense strength. 
Trusting to these, the Russian general was confi- 
dent that he could repel attack. 

But General Mitchell had no purpose of attack- 
ing this stronghold, before which he might be 
compelled to waste valuable time and suffer much 
loss. Instead, he caused a general mobilization of 
the militia of Austria and of Germany to take 
place, and, having re enforced them with 1,000,- 
000 American soldiers, newly arrived, he left Gen- 
eral Wolsely in command, directing him to occupy 
the mountains south of Vienna and to intrench 


THE LAST WAR 


1 19 

himself so that he could repel attack and fall upon 
the rear of any invadirg army which might again 
attempt to penetrate hurcpe by way cf Vienna. 
Then, turning the heads of his columns southward 
and ignoring the position of Dolgorousk at Bel- 
grade, the General marched into Dalmatia, seized 
the mountain passes, which were but feebly guard- 
ed, and, having opened communications with the 
allied fleet that now held the Adriat’c sea in its 
power, he poured his masses through the moun- 
tains into Roumelia and marched directly upon 
Salonica. In this way he avoided distributing his 
army throughout a vast extent of territory in order 
to preserve communications, and assured himself 
of supplies by means of the fleet, having only to 
establish a short supply line across the narrow 
peninsula of Greece. He also threatened the com- 
munications of Dolgorousk and menaced the capi- 
tal of the empire, Constantinople. He purposely 
left the passes leading northward through the 
mountains into Servia and Roumania open in 
order to invite an attack from Dolgorousk in the 
plains of Macedonia. 

His purpose was partially fulfilled. The Em- 
peror, alarmed, ordered Dolgorousk to come 
at once to the protection of the capital; and that 
general, leaving a garrison in Belgrade, marched 
with all haste into eastern Roumelia, by way 
of Tirnova, and occupied a fortified camp sur- 
rounding Adrianople. Thereupon General Wolse- 


120 


THE LAST WAR 


ly, leaving his camp in the mountains, invested 
Belgrade, and, having 1,000 of the improved long- 
range guns, destroyed it at leisure and without 
loss to himself, because none of the guns in the 
fortifications were able to reach him. Twenty- 
four hours of hopeless resistance ended in a capit- 
ulation whereby the strongest fortress in Europe 
and a garrison of 200,000 men fell into the hands 
of the allies. In obedience to orders, Wolsely 
thereupon marched upon Tirnova, it being 
Mitchell’s design to bring him in against the rear 
and right of Dolgorousk’s position. 

Meanwhile Salonica, garrisoned by 100,000 
Turks and defended by a system of immense em- 
bankments, saw the vast array of the allied armies 
march down and surround it, while their com- 
bined fleet, sweeping up the coast of Greece, closed 
the gulf and offered battle to the Emparor’s fleet, 
now lying around Samothrace and protected by 
the immense fortifications of that island, of Lem- 
nos, and of Gallipolis. But the fleet did not 
accept battle, though it was equal in strength to 
the allies. It seems that already the Emperor was 
thinking of retreat, and wished to preserve the 
ships in order to protect his passage into Asia 
Minor or to receive an attack where the guns of 
the island fortifications would assist them. 

The Turks in Salonica were defiant, and, having 
entered upon a religious war, were ready to die, 
but not to surrender. They refused honorable 


THE LAST WAR 


121 


capitulation and slew the envoy who had borne the 
terms to them, even shooting the fragments of his 
body from a great gun into the camp of General 
Mitchell. No delay was thereupon had on the 
part of the latter. Three thousand long-range 
cannon were placed at a distance of twenty miles, 
on surrounding heights, and, the exact locations 
of the fortifications having been ascertained by 
surveys from airships, the bombardment began. 
Not a shell was wasted. Systematically and scien- 
tifically the great globes were dropped upon 
the lines of defense, where, bursting, they 
tore down and literally effaced them from the 
earth. No such explosive had ever been used in 
any former war as these shells contained. The 
strongest' steel-hacked embankments were hurled 
down and scattered in showers, as if volcanoes 
burst forth wherever the shot fell. Five hours 
the rapid hail continued. Then was seen a won- 
drous sight. The Turks, having replied as long 
as their batteries had a single gun remaining, 
though without avail, now came out in serried 
array, and, singing as if they were going to a feast 
instead of to death, made a dash on swift electro- 
cycles toward the death-dealing batteries, deter- 
mined to destroy them or he destroyed in the at- 
tempt. General Mitchell looked upon this attempt 
with surprise and caused his batteries to cease 
firing. Then again he sent forward a messenger, 
hut now in an armored car, to offer capitulation, 


122 


THE LAST WAR 


because he admired the bravery of these devoted 
troops. But his offer was refused, and the envoy 
had difficulty in escaping the missiles which were 
hurled upon his car by the advancing enemy. 
Mitchell thereupon gave a signal to his gunnery 
who, preserving the range of the advancing Turks 
by observation, at once let fall a discharge of 
bombs in their midst. A second and a third dis- 
charge followed. A cloud of dust and vapor envel- 
oped the plain over which the assaulting column 
was passing. When it lifted, the assailants lay scat- 
tered over a space of ground a mile square, and 
little hillocks and hollows marked the spots upon 
which .the shells had fallen, while here and there 
a man was creeping away or lay tossing his arms 
in agony. Having surveyed this dreadful scene 
through the spectroscope, General Mitchell sighed. 
Then he directed a portion of his army to occupy 
the city of Salonica. 


CHAPTER XII. 


THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE. 

Wellington and Newman found little time for 
leisure during the rapid movements following the 
battle of Him and ending with the capture of 
Salonica. The progress of vast masses of men and 
of war machines through a rough, mountainous 
country demanded the greatest activity on the 
part of all the officers, from the Commanding Gen- 
eral to the captains of companies. The absence of 
the cavalry branch of the service, which had been 
almost wholly superseded by the electrocycles* did 
not dispense with the use of horses for messengers 
across rough countries where roads had not been 
made; and Wellington was continually in saddle 
during the week of marching through the rough 
places between Vienna and the base where now 
Mitchell’s army was resting a day before beginning 
the final advance upon the enemy’s capital. 

Nor were the leaders of this great host idle 
during the rest at Salonica. Observation airships 
traced the progress of Dolgorousk’s army as it 
poured into the plain of Adrianople, and gave 
notice of the progress of Wolsely, as he moved 
down upon the rear of the enemy. They also 
accurately located and pictographed the strong 
123 


124 


THE LAST WAR 


fortresses that guarded all the passes through the 
mountain walls into the plain. 

While studying the immediate problem of tak- 
ing the capital of the empire. General Mitchell did 
not neglect the campaigns in progress in India 
and Africa. The accession of 500,000 men to Gen- 
eral Bennett’s army, by the return of that con- 
tingent from Europe after the battle of Ulm, 
caused General Bennett to assume the offensive. 
A bloody battle was fought in Kordofan, on the 
hanks of the White Nile, on the same day that 
Mitchell destroyed the garrison of Salonica. As 
the hostile armies were equal in artillery and not 
unequal in troops to a great extent, the victory did 
not declare for either. But the Abyssinians retired 
across the Nile and stood on the defensive there- 
after, while General Bennett, laying claim to the 
Victory on that account, energetically brought up 
re-enforcements with a view to assailing the in- 
trenched camp of his opponents. But General 
Mitchell, after intently studying the position of 
King John’s army, directed Bennett not to assault, 
hut only to threaten attack and watch that the 
enemy should not retreat. For without great loss 
the camp could not be taken, and Mitchell hoped 
soon to finish his campaign against the Emperor; 
and then with his long-range guns it would he an 
easy task to cause the submission of the stout 
Abyssinians. 

In India matters had not progressed so favor- 


THE LAST WAR 


125 


ably. The Mohammedan soldiers, with that fate- 
ful disregard of death which made them such ter- 
rible enemies, stoutly held the passes into Persia 
and foiled all attempts of the combined army to 
obtain possession of them, while they in turn were 
not able to pass down into India. But General 
Mitchell now ordered a change in the plan of 
campaign there. He directed the general in com- 
mand of the combined Indian and Australian 
armies, Maharal, to leave the fortresses on his side 
of the mountain-passes well garrisoned, and to 
march along the coast to the entrance of the 
Persian gulf, supported by the fleet, reduce the 
fortresses that guarded the Straits of Ormuz and 
pass across the gulf into the plains of Syria, thus 
taking the enemy in the rear and bringing on a 
battle in the plains, where superior numbers would 
overcome the obstinate Mussulmans. 

Circumstances later caused him to alter this 
plan when he saw that the obstinate resistance of 
the fortifications that guarded the straits and the 
roads along the coast had retarded its execution. 

Turning his attention to the sea fleets, he 
learned that an unequal contest had occurred in 
the Japan sea between portions of the hostile 
fleets, wherein the Russian fleet had come off best 
and had compelled the allies to take refuge under 
the fortifications at Wei-Hai-Wei, where they were 
concentrating for a renewed progress. It seems 
that a portion of the Australian fleet had left the 


126 


THE LAST WAR 


American contingent and had boldly entered the 
Korean straits in search of the enemy, contrary 
to the advice of the other allies, and with the re- 
sult that it met disaster. 

News of desultory fighting along the frontiers 
of the countries bordering the empire came in 
also, wherein strong bodies of coast guards en- 
gaged in struggles which often approached the 
proportions of battles, and which were fought with 
the greatest fury, because the Russians never gave 
quarter nor asked mercy when overcome. Vast 
bodies of militia were necessary, therefore, to 
guard the exposed portions of the coasts. 

It was about this time, also, that a severe battle 
took place between the immense fortifications 
that frowned upon the straits leading from the 
Baltic into the North sea, and the great Baltic 
fleet of Russian warships, which attempted to force 
way through, in order to harry the coast of Europe 
and the islands of Great Britain. In this contest, 
the land batteries were assisted by huge floating 
batteries moored across the straits and in the 
canals. The Russian fleet was compelled to retire 
with the loss of half its vessels. 

The problem that gave General Mitchell most 
cause for thought was how to break through the 
immense ramparts into which the mountain walls 
surrounding Adrianople had been converted, in 
order that he might assail Dolgorousk in his camp 
behind the rivers which ran through and near that 


THE LAST WAR 


127 


city southward. Even his strong guns would not 
he able to tear down the mountain walls and the 
artificial ramparts that closed the passes, unless 
he could get up to an equality of position. For, 
aided by the height of the batteries above the 
plains, the great guns of the mountain fortifica- 
tions had a range almost equal to his improved 
artillery, and it might he that many days delav 
would he caused before these batteries could be 
silenced. 

But the fertile mind of the commander con- 
ceived a plan that had hitherto been untried in 
warfare. He selected two points of assault. One of 
these was the fortress that covered the sea roads 
running through the ancient village of Yellendy. 
The other was the mountain ridge above Selimneh, 
commanding the extreme right and rear of Dol- 
gorousk’s position. At both points, as revealed 
by observations, were crests of the mountains 
which had not been occupied except by patrols, 
for the reason that precipices forbade ascent. 
Identical instructions were issued to the parties 
detailed to carry these points and to establish bat- 
teries. 

Airships which had been used for transport 
service in carrying passengers and light goods were 
gathered to the number of 900 at the southern 
point and of 800 at the northern point. The lifting 
power of each ship was equal to ten tons. As the 
great long-range guns with the army weighed from 


128 


THE LAST WAR 


twelve to fifteen tons, slings were rigged between 
two powerful ships, by means of which it was 
designed to raise the guns to the crest of the 
mountain ridges. One hundred of the most pow- 
erful guns were thus to be raised at each point, 
while other transports, filled* with men to operate 
the guns and support them, and with muni- 
tions, should accompany them. The task of 
guarding the operation was intrusted to the air 
fleet. Phoenix personally supervised the operation 
at the northern point, while General Mitchell him- 
self directed the operations at the southern point. 

In both cases the attempts were successful. 
The patrols on the mountains were surprised as 
the monstrous ships bearing the great guns slowly 
drifted over them and carefully descended, and 
their surprise turned to terror when grenades fell 
in showers around them, causing ruin and death. 
The feat was accomplished at daylight in the 
morning of the second day after Salonica fell. 
Hardly had the frightened patrols from the moun- 
tains informed the garrisons of the great fortresses 
near the points of assault what had happened 
before the great guns were belching heavy shells 
into the flanks of the positions. At each 
point unavailing efforts at resistance were made. 
The Kussians sought to turn their guns so as 
to command the points of landing, but were 
smitten so quickly and with such power that 
within half an hour after the ships deposited their 


THE LAST WAR 


129 


great burdens the fortifications were abandoned 
and-the garrisons were fleeing with headlong speed 
down the mountains. Instantly the abandoned 
works were occupied and their guns trained on 
neighboring batteries. Aided by the stronger 
guns, they quickly cleared the passes and caused 
the abandonment of other points which had not 
been assailed. 

No delay was allowed at either point. The in- 
fantry and war machines poured through the 
passes and defiled into the plains before Adrian- 
ople, while batteries were established on all neigh- 
boring heights to protect the movements and to 
shell Dolgorousk’s strong intrenchments. The 
Russian general was dumfounded. Clearly his 
position was no longer tenable. For, while he 
might assail Mitchell’s army with equal chances 
of success on the plain, he could not avoid the 
flank attack from Wolsely on his extreme right 
and rear. He frankly told the Emperor this fact, 
and advised the evacuation of Constantinople 
and the retirement of the army into Asia Minor. 
But meanwhile, that he might cover the retreat 
and gain time, he sacrificed 300,000 men in fruit- 
less assaults upon Wolsely’s position and in sus- 
taining the bombardment of Mitchell’s guns, 
which were set at a range of about thirty miles. 

Owing to the narrowness of the passes the allies 
were unable to defile into the plains in time to de- 
liver an assault before night, but the long-range 


130 


THE LAST WAR 


cannon were employed not only to restrain the 
enemy from assaulting before the army was in 
position, but to prevent an overwhelming force 
falling upon Wolsely, who was finding much diffi- 
culty in debouching upon the narrow valleys lead- 
ing down from the mountains. 

Meanwhile the evacuation of the capital city was 
progressing rapidly. The Emperor, uttering im- 
potent curses both upon the enemy and upon 
his own armies, displaced Dolgorousk and ap • 
pointed bis own brother, General Romanoff, to the 
chief command. The latter, having ordered Dol- 
gorousk under arrest, took charge at nightfall 
and immediately directed 500,000 Albanians, Ser- 
vians and Turks to assault Mitchell’s line and 
endeavor to destroy his batteries, and then, open- 
ing fire along his whole line with part of the guns 
at his disposal, lie rapidly withdrew the immense 
army and the greater part of its war machines 
across the Hellespont, and, leaving the assaulting 
force to its dreadful fate, blew up the magnificent 
bridges that connected the two continents and 
retreated into Asia Minor, while the sea fleet with- 
drew along the coast. 

General Mitchell did not divine the purpose of 
his antagonists until after the desperate assault of 
the Albanians had been repulsed and that magnifi- 
cent body of troops scattered so that no part of 
its organization was left, and on'y fleeing soldiers, 
pursued by fire globes and merciless hail of shells. 


THE LAST WAR 


131 


remained. Then the retirement of the enemy’s 
air fleet and the silence of the guns along the for- 
tifications induced the General to send forward 
ships with searchlights by which the retreat was 
revealed. Instant pursuit was begun, but, as the 
retiring troops had destroyed and blockaded roads 
to some extent, little could be effected beyond the 
capture of many stragglers, guns and machines. 
The explosions, by which the great bridges were 
destroyed, told the final story of the retreat. 

General Mitchell was most anxious to preserve 
the great city of Constantinople from destruction 
on account of its wealth and magnificence, but he 
was surprised, as well as pleased, to receive a note 
from the Emperor, by the hand of the municipal 
mayor, intrusting to his personal care the great 
city until he, the Emperor, should return to claim 
it again as his own. The General at once placed 
a guard in the city and notified the Allied Con- 
gress that the second important step in this war 
had been taken. 

Great rejoicing throughout the civilized world 
marked the reception of this most important news. 
Bonfires, ringing of bells, public thanksgivings in 
all the churches, and celebrations without number 
occurred. The day was proclaimed an interna- 
tional holiday to commemorate the triumphant 
entry into the hostile capital. Congratulatory 
messages came to General Mitchell from all parts 
of the world, and in some of them he was lauded 


132 


THE LAST WAR 


as more than human. But the General gave little 
heed to congratulations. Instead, he bent all his 
energies to the transport of his army into Asia 
Minor and to the pursuit of the enemy. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


APPROACHING THE FINAL CONTEST. 

The rapidity of the retreat of the Russian army 
and the necessarily slow transportation of his im- 
mense army across the straits into Asia Minor 
threw General Mitchell one day's march behind 
the enemy. The broken roads and bridges also de- 
layed his progress after he had crossed. But, 
escorted by the sea fleet at his right, supplied 
by transports, and guided in his movements by the 
air fleet, he began as rapid pursuit as possible, 
wondering why the enemy did not halt to give 
battle in the mountainous country through which 
his march now lay. 

The reasons for the enemy's failure to give bat- 
tle presently became apparent. Copies of a de- 
cree, issued by the Czar-pope as Emperor and Vice- 
gerent of God on earth, calling upon every able- 
bodied man to rise, take arms and concentrate upon 
Antioch, were captured by the spy service. Also 
General Bennett reported the sudden retreat of the 
Ab} r ssinians from his front and the rapid approach 
of King John's army to the Straits of Bab- 
el-Mandeb. Mitchell at once divined the king’s 
purpose to be that of crossing the straits into 
Arabia and combining with General Romanoff’s 
army, or with that of the Mohammedans, which 
i33 


134 


THE LAST WAR 


was opposed to the Indo-Australian array. The 
rapidity with which Romanoff was passing into 
Syria led him to believe that it was the intention of 
the latter to fall upon the Indo-Australian army 
with his combined forces. To meet this con- 
tingency, the General adopted a new plan. He dis- 
patched instant orders to General Bennett to fol- 
low Iving John with all speed. He ordered the 
Indian ocean fleet to proceed at once to the Straits 
of Bab-el-Mandeb and prevent the crossing of the 
Abyssinian s. He ordered the entire transport ser- 
vice of India to gather at the entrance of the Per- 
sian gulf and to take on board the Indo-Australian 
army of 4,000,000 men and bring it into the Red 
sea, thence through the Su z and Nile ca la’s in o 
the Mediterranean sea. Here Admiral Neils should 
meet it with his fleet and convoy it across to a junc- 
tion with the army in Asia Minor. Then, with the 
combined force, General Mitchell could follow Ro- 
manoff and give battle at the first opportunity. 

Halting, therefore, at the passes through the 
Snowy mountains, near Cape Anemour, Mitchell 
waited two days for the result of his orders. The 
Indian fleet arrived at the Straits of Bab-el-Man- 
deb when about one-half of King John’s army had 
been ferried across, and after a terrific battle with 
batteries on both sides of the straits effectually 
silenced them and thus cut the Abyssinian army 
in two parts. The one part rapidly marched 
across Arabia by the great military roads recently 


THE LAST WAR 


U5 


constructed, and formed a junction with the Mo- 
hammedan army at the head of the Gulf of 
Persia. The other part, retiring to a position 
of immense strength, was there surrounded by 
General Bennett‘s army and besieged, but held 
out several days with great valor. The Indian 
fleet lost half of its vessels in its fight with the 
batteries, but obtained command of the Red 
sea. The great transports laden with the Indo- 
European army had no difficulty, therefore, in en- 
tering that sea and passing through the canals 
into the Mediterranean, where they met Admiral 
Neils and proceeded safely across, guarded by his 
vessels. At the close of the second day, junction 
of the armies was accomplished, and Mitchell 
found that he now had about 12,000,000 soldiers, 
his own losses having been more than supplied by 
re-enforcements. 

General Romanoff marched one day through the 
Syrian plains before he learned the purpose of his 
antagonist and that his expected prey had escaped, 
Then, filled with rage and apprehensive lest he 
would be assailed too soon by the combined 
enemy, he ordered the Mohammedan army and the 
Abyssinian contingent to join him at once, and 
turned back toward Antioch. General Mitchell 
did not fail to hasten his movements, and suc- 
ceeded in passing through the mountains of Asia 
Minor and appearing at the head of the Gulf of 


136 


THE LAST WAR 


Alexandretta before Romanoff could return and, 
in force, occupy the mountains. 

Thus it came about that two vast arrays faced 
each other on the famous plains overlooked by 
Mount Amanus, with Antioch at one side on the 
west and the Euphrates valley on the east. Here 
each general was determined to fight a battle, 
Romanoff choosing the plains, that his immense 
army of 15,000,000 men might have room, and 
that he might so extend his array as to avoid the 
terrible effects of the American artillery, to which 
he attributed all prior defeats, and Mitchell ac- 
cepting the battle because he believed that his 
infantry, supported by his long-range batteries, 
would be irresistible. 

Here, upon fields celebrated even in ancient his- 
tory and spoken of frequently in sacred as well as 
in secular story, the greatest combinations of arms 
and men, of air fleets and ocean fleets, that the 
world has ever seen (and let us hope will never see 
again) stood looking upon each other before join- 
ing in a grapple that would decide the fate of 
the world. On the one side stood people of one 
tongue and of one blood, if we speak only of that 
strain of Anglo-Saxon blood which had mingled 
with that of the other peoples, causing a race of 
similar qualities. On the other side stood people 
of many tongues, many bloods, many religions, 
and with widely differing qualities. One side was 
animated with a desire to strike down despotism, 


t 


THE LAST WAR 137 

to free the mass of people from ignorance, to pre- 
serve civilization, and to defend its homes from 
destruction. The other side was animated by 
various emotions — some by patriotism, others by 
fanatical hatred of foreigners, others by religious 
rage, and still others by hope of gain and plunder. 
Mitchell recognized the fact that here the victory 
would be gained at a great cost. Romanoff was 
animated by the knowledge that defeat meant the 
overthrow of the empire. Both prepared for the 
contest with skill and with calmness. 

At the close of the day preceding the battle 
General Mitchell stood in his headquarters car, 
closely examining by spectroscope and taking by 
pictograph the position of his enemy. There was 
a line of care in his usually smooth brow, and it 
was evident that he was greatly impressed with 
the fearful possibilities of the morrow. Near 
him stood several staff officers, and Wellington was 
at his elbow ready to anticipate his orders and to 
issue them, while Newman, observant of all that 
took place, conversed in low tones with one of 
the officers. All around them arose the rattle and 
hum of thousands of war machines and great bat- 
teries of guns, hurrying to occupy p s'ti m which 
Mitchell had been indicating on drafts of the land- 
scape and country furnished by the pictograph. 
Standing on the crest of Amanus, they could see 
by the aid of powerful glasses the sea at the right, 
bearing up the serried lines of war vessels, the 


138 


THE LAST WAR 


cities and towns beyond and along the Asy, the 
great city of Antioch, lately renewed to something 
of its ancient splendor, and the dust clouds far 
out on the plains, toward Aleppo the ancient, 
now a village of rude stone huts, surrounded by 
ruins, where the extreme left of the hostile army 
lay. Above floated signal ships, with cables reach- 
ing to earth on which to send the reports and im- 
pressions received, while in the rear on an open 
field the great air fleet was anchored, taking on 
munitions of war and refilling gas chambers pre- 
paratory for active service on the morrow. 

General Mitchell presently gave over examining 
the field of battle and said, slowly, as if speaking 
to himself: 

“We shall be ready by daylight. I am satisfied 
with the position and the preparations/* 

“And by to-morrow night the enemy will be 
dispersed, killed by our shells or drowned in the 
sea!” exclaimed Wellington, who had intently ob- 
served his commander’s orders and fully under- 
stood his designs. 

“Let us hope so,” returned Mitchell, smiling. 
“I perceive that you understand my plans. Ex- 
plain them in brief.” 

“Here,” said Wellington, readily, placing his 
finger x>n the point where stood headquarters, “to 
right and left you will place one-half the long- 
range cannon, and you will support them by the 
European troops, whose duty it will be to hold this 


THE LAST WAR 


139 


mountain ridge, while the center and left do the 
fighting, or, rather, the advancing. Along the 
center will be the Indian troops, opposed to their 
deadly enemies, the Mohammedans, and in their 
rear, supporting them, will be the Australians. 
Ordinary batteries will lead them. On the left 
you have placed the American hammer again, the 
handle or front of which is ten miles long, and is 
held by 2,000,000 men, with 2,000 of the long- 
range cannon, while at the rear of the extreme left 
will be massed the remainder of the Americans, 
over 1,000,000 strong, whose duty it will be to bear 
down the extreme right of the enemy and fold it 
back upon the Asy and the sea. Then, having 
surrounded your enemy, you can destroy him at 
leisure with your cannon, because he cannot get 
beyond range except he leap into the sea. But 
on the sea, meanwhile, Admiral Neils will have 
assaulted the Russian fleet, and in the air the air 
vessels will operate against the enemy’s fleet as 
soon as your cannonade shall have crippled their 
protecting ground batteries. If carried out, the 
plan will result in the total destruction of the 
enemy.” 

General Mitchell nodded approval. 

“I perceive that you fully understand my 
plans,” he said. “I shall send you on important 
duty to-morrow. You shall go to the left wing 
and attend General Granger, who commands there, 
and you will see that my orders are understood 


140 


THE LAST WAR 


and obeyed in every particular, settling any mat- 
ters of donbt as to the co-operation of the wing 
with the center. The battle line is fully forty 
miles in length, and in the midst of turmoil, pos- 
sibly temporary repulse and confusion, I must 
have a representative there who knows thoroughly 
my whole plan, in order that nothing miscarry. 
For Granger will have his orders and operate oil 
them, while Maharal will have his and do like- 
wise, but I know not how well they may co- 
operate. You shall see to that, and, if necessary, 
issue supplementary orders in my name. This is 
a great responsibility, my son. But I know that 
I can fully trust you. Rest well to-night. For 
to-morrow we shall save the world or lose it!” 

Wellington bowed his head in silence, accepting 
the dread responsibility with the courage which 
had descended to him through a long line of in- 
trepid ancestors. General Mitchell, taking a final 
survey of the field and noting that the enemy 
would not be in disposition to attack for several 
hours, retired to his sleeping room to rest five 
hours. In accordance with his orders, Wellington 
also retired to sleep, while other officers attended 
to the formation of the battle lines. But before 
retiring he was called to the photophone in answer 
to a message from home. Darkness had now 
fallen upon the camp and the headquarters car 
was occupied by only one officer, who remained on 
guard. Other cars, stationed near, were the quar- 


THE LAST WAR 


Ut 


ters of the various staff officers who now had 
charge of arrangements. 

Wellington stepped into the recess where the 
receiver of the photophone stood, and saw in the 
reflector, as if surrounded by a halo of sunlight, 
the fair features of Vera, his bride to be. Salut- 
ing with his hand, he said: 

“I am here, loved one. I cannot express my 
pleasure at seeing you. What is your pleasure?” 

“We have waited anxiously,” came the soft re- 
sponse, “for a moment when the line to your head- 
quarters would he free. I am here at your home 
with your mother and sisters, while the garden and 
the house are crowded with friends anxious to 
hear from you. For the bulletins announce that 
a great battle is imminent and that the fate of the 
world hangs in a balance. Give us assurance of 
victory.” 

“Salute my mother and sisters and give our 
friends kindly greeting!” responded Wellington, 
much moved. “Say to them that General Mitchell 
is now sleeping as calmly as if he had already 
gained the victory. He has no doubt of the issue. 
His only study is how he may gain it with the 
least loss to his own children, as he calls the 
troops. Say to the people that by noon to-morrow 
the battle will he decided and by sundown the 
enemy’s host will he no more.” 

“You are very confident,” was the return. 


142 


THE LAST WAR 


“Have all the soldiers under General Mitchell the 
same confidence?” 

“All! Every man believes that he is invincible. 
Could you hear the songs with which the host is 
preparing for battle, you would be convinced. 
This confidence alone will make the army uncon- 
querable.” 

“And you, yourself? Your mother — w^e, all, are 
desirous to know whether you will be in danger.” 

“Not any greater danger than other soldiers are. 
I shall be with General Granger and the Ameri- 
can troops on the left to-morrow, and as a conse- 
quence will move into the fire, because that line 
has been given the task of turning back the ene- 
my’s right wing. But have courage. God will pre- 
serve me, whether living or dead, and I shall do my 
duty without fear.” 

There was an instant of pause before Vera could 
speak again, and her emotion was visible even 
through the dim reflector. But she quickly re- 
covered composure, and, bravely smiling, said: 

“I feel that you will come through safely, but 
if not — if not, I shall remain true to your memory 
here and join you hereafter. God have you in 
His holy keeping! Your mother desires a moment 
of speech with you. Farewell!” 

Involuntarily he extended his arms as if he 
would give her a last embrace, but, smibng, the 
reflection withdrew. An instant later the pale, 
aged face of his mother appeared in the reflector. 


THE LAST WAR 


143 


“Turn on your light more intensely,” were her 
first words, as her dim eyes looked upon him. “ I 
desire to see whether my son fears to stand in his 
father’s shoes.” 

Wellington smilingly touched a button at one 
side and caused a blaze of ethereal light to illumi 
nate the cell in which he stood: 

“Ah, now I seem to see my husband as he was 
before he went to the Indian war!” exclaimed the 
old woman, with a smile. “There is no fear i 1 
you, son. Well, hesitate not to go into battle, 
even if death await you, Arthur. Remember that 
here your old mother is holding you up before the 
God who gave you, and that no harm will come 
to you unless He wills.” 

“I am glad you see in me my father,” responded 
the son, with deepest reverence. “But if there is 
any merit in me it also springs equally from my 
mother.” 

“Do your duty. Now farewell!” 

The mother extended her hands as if in bene- 
diction. The son fell on his knees and bowed his 
head. Then the communication was interrupted, 
as an official dispatch was awaiting transmission. 

Stronger and happier because of this com- 
munion with those he loved, Wellington went out 
of the car for a moment and stood beneath the 
heavens, through which the pale rim of a new 
moon was passing and in which myriad stars 
twinkled gloriously. The clatter and hum of 



144 


THE LAST WAR 


machines and of voices and the thousand sounds 
which arise in a great war camp were still to be 
heard, hut were becoming less. For it was the 
GeneraFs plan that all p s tio: s sh u'd be taken 
by midnight, and that all the troops should rest 
from midnight until daylight in order that they 
might be strong for the heavy work of the morrow. 

Wellington looked out across the plains where 
twinkled lights, as the illuminators kept watch so 
that no surprise should happen on either side. 
Antioch, doomed to destruction under a fire such 
as never had yet smitten city, lay silent, except 
for the rumble of war machines whose noise could 
not reach his ear; its inhabitants had fled 
southward, and were still fleeing in order to escape 
the hail that would come on the morrow. He 
looked up to the heavens, wondering if the celes- 
tial armies were not gazing down upon this field 
where death would reign shortly, and he felt how 
infinitely small was he himself in the midst of all 
these mighty environments. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


ARMAGEDDON. 

The position of the allied army was as follows; 
Its right wing rested upon the sea at the base of 
that range of low mountains known as Amanus, 
and followed the ridge and its foothills about ten 
miles northeastward. Here the long r/nge guns 
were placed, and a thin line of European soldiers 
to support them. The center of the army bent like 
a bow eastward, crossing the little stream that 
flows by the point commonly known as Murad’s 
bridge, and lay upon a line of heights looking 
southward across the plains north of the Asy river, 
where it comes up from the south and bends to 
the west. Here the Indian army was placed in 
the front line, and at its rear the Austrahan army 
to support it. For here General Mi'chell expected 
heavy fighting. The left wing reached from the 
center out to the slopes of Mount St. Simeon, and 
in front of it were placed many of the long-range 
guns, while a battery of them frowned from the 
slopes of the mountain. Behind St. Simeon were 
massed in two columns 1,000,000 men, in lines 
perpendicular to the general battle line. These 
columns were designed to follow the left wing in 
its movement and to spread out farther and 


i45 


146 


THE LAST WAR 


farther as the advance should he made, in order 
to overlap the enemy’s right. 

General Romanoff held a very strong position 
with his left wing. It rested cn the sea and 
crowned the heights above the River Asy, which 
here emptied into the Mediterranean. Thence it 
lay eastward along the heights above Antioch to 
the Asy river, where that stream comes up from 
the south, and was connected with the center by 
broad bridges. Heavy batteries of slrong artillery 
frowned all along the hilltops. The distance 
between the hostile lines ranged from ten to 
twenty miles. This wing was held by Russian 
troops. East of the Asy the Mohammedan and 
Mongolian troops extended across a r. lling plain, 
occupying the center and right over a distance of 
almost thirty miles, while in their rear was n 
second line of Russian and other troops from all 
the provinces of the empire where the catholic 
faith was predominant. It will thus be seen that 
the acute General Romanoff had placed in his 
front to hear the first brunt of battle the fanatical 
Mussulmans, in order that their va’or might pos- 
sibly break the enemy’s lines, and also that as 
many of them might be killed as possible in ordet 1 
to remove a troublesome body of subjects from the 
earth. At the extreme right was King John and 
1,000,000 Abyssinians. lying far out, almost to 
Aleppo. 

A river separated the combatants along their 


THE LAST WAR 


147 


western wings. Lake Antioch and the broken 
ground and streams near it separated their west 
center, and the open plains lay thence along the 
center and the eastern wings. 

The allied air fleet, now ready for "battle, rested 
on the ridges of Mount Amanus, anchored until 
a signal should indicate that it would he needed. 
On the hills beyond the Russian left rested like- 
wise the enemy’s air fleet, waiting orders. On the 
sea east of the island of Cyprus lay the sea fleet of 
the Emperor, anchored in a wide semicircle with 
its rear to the army, while the allied fleet, dividing 
its forces, was lying in the p:ss;g,s north and 
south of Cyprus, ready to advance to the battle 
with the coming of day. 

Shortly after midnight General Mitchell awoke, 
and Wellington also aroused himself from slum- 
ber. Having received final instructions, the lat- 
ter was conveyed in a swift airship to the extreme 
left of the battle line, where he reported to Gen- 
eral Granger. With that general he carefully re- 
viewed General Mitchell’s plans, and together they 
waited for the hour when the whole army should 
be aroused. 

An hour before day a subdued murmur ran 
through the long battle lines as the soldiers 
aroused themselves and partook of a hady repast. 
Then every gunner examined his cannon, every 
soldier carefully looked to war machines, and rifles, 
and with weapons ready stood waiting for the 


148 


THE LAST WAR 


signals. The frowning guns, the strong war cars 
with their dull, gray armor and deadly rapid-firing 
rifles, the men stripped of every impediment and 
arrayed in blue shot-proof clothes, all seemed to 
lean forward, like a runner ready for the race. 
Across the eastern Leavens gray shafts of light 
stole. The darkness slowly lifted. 

Suddenly, like an unexpected burst of heavy 
thunder, the cannon on Mount Amanus opened 
the battle. Instantly the batteries along the line 
followed, and the rumbling, bursting crash of 
thousands of great guns rolled from right to left, 
filling the gray dawn with leaping, plunging pro- 
jectiles. Twice, thrice, four times, did this ter- 
rific noise roll along the lines before the enemy 
began to reply. Then thunder answered thunder 
across the valley and plain. A few minutes later 
the great guns of the sea fleets opened, and the 
deep rolled back the echoes from the hills with a 
like dread diapason. 

For thirty minutes the batteries spouted their 
rapid bolts. For that space of time both armies 
stood still, each waiting until the other’s guns 
should be silenced or injured. But the allied line 
lay either beyond the Russian range or was so well 
hidden behind ridges that it was injured but little, 
while, in front of the right and left of the allies, 
restlessness was soon noticed in the opposite lines, 
due to the terrible bolts of the long-range cannon. 
This restlessness soon developed into a forward 


THE LAST WAR 


149 


movement on the part of the Abyssinians at the 
right and of the Mohammedans in the center. 
Then General Granger ordered the American line 
to advance, and, with steady roll, the war ma- 
chines and the great guns went forward, while 
some of the cannon, placed on the heights of 
St. Simeon, hurled their deadly explosive bombs 
into the ranks of the enemy over the heads of the 
troops. The Americans swung out into the plain. 
The two columns in the rear followed, one by an 
oblique movement, prolonging the line to meet 
the Abyssinians, whose right was far beyond the 
extreme allied left, while the other column 
marched along the rear in order to continue the 
unfolding and overlapping operation as soon as 
the skirts of the mountain should be cleared. 
The uneven ground, the numerous ditches, some 
dry and others containing water, obstructed the 
progress to some extent, but the pioneer corps pre- 
ceded the battle line and laid down flying roads 
and bridges for the machines and the batteries. 
The electrocycles, filled with riflemen or with mu- 
nitions of war, passed over most of the depressions 
with ease, needing bridges only where banks wer« 
abrupt or perpendicular. 

While thus the eastern wings of the hostile 
armies were coming together, so along the center, 
where the plain was narrower, the combatants 
drew together. But between the western wings 
only the fierce bombardment of great guns was 


THE LAST WAR 


150 

maintained. The fleets thundered and rushed 
together on the sea. 

The terrible effect of the cannonade along 
Granger’s front at length produced confusion 
among the Abyssinians, who were compelled to 
meet the direct force of the shattering bolts along 
a front of more than five miles. So accurate was 
the aim of the gunners that the shells were 
dropped in the midst of the extended line and 
great gaps were broken in it. Advancing bat- 
teries were dashed to pieces, while the Americans, 
protected thus, swept forward rapidly. Smitten 
by the great bolts, awed by the coming of the dark 
wave of men and machines, the Abyssinians 
stopped and took shelter in all depressions and 
sought to plant their remaining guns so as to 
shatter the assailants’ columns. When barely two 
miles intervened, the king perceived the plan of 
the allies, and that the unfolding process by which 
they were extending from right to left would 
presently overlap his position. In all haste, then, 
he called for help and begged that the second 
Russian line should be ordered forward to resist 
the operation. 

Now came the test of American valor. For the 
furious Africans were brave, and, when the range 
of their guns became effective, they smote the as- 
sailants severely. But, protected in a measure by 
their armored cars, Granger’s men went forward, 


THE LAST IVAR 


151 

while from the war machines spouted streams of 
hurtling shot upon the enemy. 

Along the center of both lines like movements 
occurred. But here the Indian troops were not 
protected by the long-range batteries, and had to 
meet a foe equal to themselves both in arms and 
in bravery, but which outnumbered them. So 
that, when the battle lines drew together around 
the Lake of Antioch and along the streams that 
flowed near, the destruction inflicted by both 
parties was not unequal. An hour after the battle 
opened, the fighting here was close and deadly. 
The fanatical Mussulmans, ignoring death, steadily 
advanced until their furious shouts could be heard 
through the din of battle. Then across every 
spot of level ground the armored war machines 
dashed upon each other, overthrew, crushed and 
broke, or, gliding into the midst of the enemy, 
spouted flame and vapor from a hundred rifles. 
Small arms came into play. Infantry, abandoning 
broken carriages, struggled hand-to-hand with 
bayonets and with clubbed guns. The frantic valor 
and the immense weight of the Mohammedan line 
proved too much for the gallant Indians and bore 
them backward. 

General Mitchell was watching this struggle 
closely. He now ordered the Australian line to 
close up and support the Indians. The Russian 
general also ordered up his second line. There- 
upon a signal was flashed to Captain Phoenix, and 


152 


THE LAST WAR 


in a moment his great air fleet arose in air and 
darted upon the second Russian line as soon as it 
had abandoned the protection of its ground bat- 
teries. Then the Russian air fleet was let loose; 
but, before it cordd attain speed to intercept 
Phoenix, the allied fleet passed over the Russian 
line and dropped a terrible shower of bombs and 
Greek fire, which, bursting and flaming with 
frightful effect, caused great confusion among the 
troops. Recovering by a circular movement, so as 
to meet the oncoming fleet of the enemy, Phoenix 
again passed over the infantry with his shower of 
fire and metal. 

Then, as the fleets rushed together, began a fear- 
ful and exciting combat. Phoenix used his front 
vessels as rams, while his second line, increasing 
speed and rising higher in air, passed directly over 
the enemy’s fleet and poured upon it showers of 
bombs and Greek fire. Coming together with 
crashing force, volleying bullets from their guns, 
spouting fire and vapor, the great vessels met each 
other. Then began to fall the broken ships, the 
bodies of men, the fragments and debris. The 
superior armor of the allied ships saved them from 
the greater injury. The ships, all that did not 
fall, passed each other, and it was seen that scores 
of the Russian vessels were flaming with the inex- 
tinguishable fire known of old only to Greeks and 
later to Americans. Circling about. Captain 
Phoenix brought his lines again in order for a sec- 


THE LAST WAR 


153 


ond charge, but the enemy seemed confused, and, 
while many turned to meet him, others crashed 
into their neighbors or tied from the scene. The 
air battle was soon decided and the enemy’s fleet 
destroyed or scattered. 

The aid given by the airships to the Indian and 
Australian forces was material and caused great 
confusion in the second Russian line. But it re- 
covered and continued to advance, and, when the 
Mohammedan warriors were forced back by the 
fresh Australians, it restored the battle and held 
the ground stubbornly. 

Events were now taking quite a different turn 
where the American infantry was engaged. Dur- 
ing the unf ol ding process of the first column, G eneral 
Granger had gone forward to a hilltop where he 
could obtain a better view of the field, and was 
killed by a cannon ball. Wellington, who stood 
by him, received a baptism of his blood, drops of 
which fell upon him in a shower. The staff offi- 
cers exhibited confusion and consternation and 
looked askance at each other. Thereupon Wel- 
lington produced Mitchell’s order, constituting 
him commander if Granger should be disabled, 
and at once took command. Without the troops 
learning of their misfortune, the movements were 
continued. In a very short space of time the 
overlapping process brought results. The level 
plain permitted swift movements. The second 
column now passed beyond the first, and, finding 


154 


THE LAST WAR 


before it an open field, turned its head westward 
and. bore down upon the enemy’s right flank. 

But Romanoff, listening to King John’s cries for 
help, drew back his extreme right and re-enforced 
it strongly, so that it presented a front at right 
angles with his first line. Then again the over- 
lapping process began, and continued until the ex- 
treme American left reached beyond the enemy’s 
right again. At the same time Wellington or- 
dered forward all his batteries, and, having posted 
the great guns on eminences, literally swept all 
level grounds clean of the enemy. 

Now the Abyssinians began to retire upon the 
second line. This movement exposed them at 
intervals to the deadly sweep of the cannon. 
Their retreat became a panic. The American in- 
fantry, calm, relentless, ever advancing, bore them 
backward, at first slowly, and then with great 
rapidity. Romanoff was almost in despair. He 
hastily withdrew all reserves to the west side of 
the Asy and directed the second battle line to 
fall back rapidly across the same stream. As soon 
as all the battalions that yet retained formation 
had crossed this stream, he destroyed the bridges, 
leaving the wretched mass of fugitives and broken 
regiments to their fate. 

Up to this time, General Mitchell had contented 
himself with bombarding the enemy’s batteries 
from Mount Amanns, but now he elevated his long- 
range guns and began to hurl shells into the new 


THE LAST WAR 


155 


Russian position. The slaughter was terrible. 
Noon came and defeat stared the Czar-pope in the 
face. Retreat to the southward was resolved upon 
and all preparations made for the royal family to 
escape. 

But Wellington, regardful of his commander’s 
purpose, was taking prompt measures to prohibit 
such retreat southward. Seizing a broad paved 
road far south of the Russian right, he dispatched 
200 long-range guns, supported by 100,000 Amer- 
icans, to cut off that avenue of escape. These, 
reaching the heights above the Asy, planted their 
batteries to cover all roads along that stream, while 
the now victorious ocean fleet guarded the coast 
roads with their powerful guns and prohibited 
escape in that direction. By the middle of the 
afternoon the Russian army was hemmed in on all 
sides and sullenly stood at bay, replying to the 
terrific fire of batteries with such guns as it still 
possessed. 

Meanwhile the contest on the sea had resulted 
in like defeat. Here the great battleships, float- 
ing forts of metal, had come together with thun- 
ders inconceivable. Darting submarine boats, 
with deadly torpedoes, flashed through the deeps, 
broke through protecting nets and destroyed the 
great vessels, or, entangled, brought death to their 
occupants. The superior guns and explosives 
used by the allied fleet and the activity of their 
submarine craft won the battle. Surrounded, at- 


156 


THE LAST WAR 


tacked on all sides, the enemy's vessels either ran 
up the flag of surrender or turned their prows to 
the shore and ran aground and were blown up by 
their escaping crews. Some, breaking through 
the encircling lines of ships, fled swiftly, but were 
followed by like swift vessels of the victors. The 
battle lasted only three hours. Then the victori- 
ous fleet, ranging up close to the Russian right, 
drove out the czar’s soldiers from their intrench- 
ments by taking them in reverse. 

Cursing, praying and crying alternately, the 
Emperor saw his army and his fleet destroyed. 
But, as if possessed by an evil spirit of resistance, 
he would not allow his brother, the general, to 
surrender. Clothed in his pontifical robes and 
crowned with his royal insignia, he rode through 
the ranks of his blood-stained troops, exhoiting 
them to keep up the contest. A heavy column 
was formed with which he sought to break through 
southward, but, in trying this, he brought his own 
royal person and family into range of Wellington’s 
batteries on the hills above the Asy, and a great 
shell, bursting with terrific power in the midst of 
his party, not only destroyed him and his son, but 
killed General Romanoff and the majority of his 
personal staff, and also King John of Abyssinia. 

In a very short time after this, white flags were 
run up along all the Russian lines except where 
stood the savage Mussulmans. These still main- 
tained a terrific fire from batteries and small arms. 


THE LAST WAR 


157 


Upon them Mitchell turned the power of his long- 
range cannon. They died shouting defiance. 

So closed the greatest battle in history. The 
plains and hills were covered with the dead and 
wounded. Not less than 3,000,000 of the Em- 
peror’s soldiers were slain and twice that number 
wounded. The losses of the allies amounted to 
about one-third as many in killed and wounded. 
But the Emperor lost his whole army and his fleets 
by destruction or capitulation, and his own life as 
well. 


CHAPTER XV. 


PACIFICATION OF THE CONQUERED TERRITORY. 

The decisive battle around Antioch practically 
concluded the war. For the Abyssinian army, 
learning of the death of its king and the destruc- 
tion of the Emperor’s army, surrendered uncon- 
ditionalty, and the enemy’s fleets on the Baltic and 
the Pacific followed this example. Some irreconcil- 
able partisans took refuge with large forces in 
mountain strongholds and held out several weeks. 
But the rapid movements of the detachments 
that Mitchell sent upon them speedily reduced 
them to a surrender or destroyed them. 

The conquered territory was occupied by sec- 
tions of the great army of invasion. The African 
army occupied Abyssinia. The Indian army oc- 
cupied eastern Asia. The European army took 
position in Russia in Europe. The American and 
the Australian contingents encamped near Con- 
stantinople. The central points were held by great 
bodies of troops. Detachments entered every im- 
portant city and patrolled the country between, es- 
tablishing law and order and enforcing the man- 
dates of congress. These detachments each served 
a year. Then the soldiers were discharged and re- 
placed by new volunteers. 

The Allied Congress assumed absolute jurisdic- 
158 


THE LAST WAR 


159 


tion over the captured territory, and retained it for 
the space of thirty-five years, or until that final 
treaty of union, of which we shall speak later, was 
consummated. Heroic measures were at once 
adopted. The object of the congress was to teach 
the people the benefits of civilization and peace. 
To do this, it was necessary to enforce the laws 
adopted for their benefit, by arms at first, hut, 
later, when the good effects of education and en- 
lightenment began to be perceived by the people 
themselves, the military power was withdrawn. 

The congress first ordered that the English lan- 
guage should he the official language of the con- 
quered territoiy, and forbade the teaching of the 
old tongues. It decreed that all children should 
he placed in schools controlled by teachers drawn 
from the civilized countries. It decreed the adop- 
tion of a code of laws modeled upon the general 
laws of America and of Europe, and appointed 
commissions throughout the countries to teach the 
people these laws, establishing for that purpose 
open lecture halls to which the inhabitants were 
compelled to go. Schools were also established for 
the older people and refractory persons were sum- 
marily dealt with and compelled to attend. It 
opened all lands that were not allotted to the 
inhabitants to settlement of immigrants, and en- 
couraged the inflow of people from all the civil- 
ized world. This wise provision resulted in the 
immediate establishment of a leading class of citi- 


i6o 


THE LAST WAR 


zens, who had been trained in the usages and cus- 
toms of civilization, and who acted as a restraining 
power upon the ignorant and savage inhabitants as 
well as a guiding influence to their benighted 
minds. Touching religion, the people were unre- 
strained, except that all savage or barbarous cus- 
toms were prohibited, and except, further, it was 
decreed that thereafter no pope should exist on 
earth, or other bishop who should arrogate to him- 
self any of the powers belonging to the Supreme 
Being. This decree was deemed necessary to pre- 
vent any religious order from ever again meddling 
with temporal power. 

The vast dominions which thus were opened up 
to enlightenment and to equal and just laws were 
then divided into states, and governors appointed 
to control them, with councils composed of men 
appointed by the congress, who were in the ma- 
jority, and men selected by the inhabitants of the 
conquered territories, constituting a minority, to 
which council was delegated the power of en- 
forcing the general laws and of adopting local 
regulations from time to time to suit the changing 
customs. 

General Wellington, whose firm and gallant con- 
duct on the field of battle had won him promotion 
to the highest military rank, excepting only the 
general in chief, and who was thus equal in rank 
with Wolsely, Maharal, Bennett and others, was 
given the important office of governor of old Rus- 


THE LAST WAR 


161 


sia in Europe, and, as such, commander of the 
army of occupation therein. Other generals and 
meritorious officers were given like offices, but all 
these, so far as military dispositions were con- 
cerned, were under the orders of General Mit. hell, 
who had his headquarters at Constantinople. 

We may add here that Wellington, on the day 
after the year of waiting ordained by law, married 
Vera Hathaway and took her to his palace at St. 
Petersburg, where her gentle but firm demeanor 
speedily won to her the affection of the prominent 
ladies of that city. Newman, likewise, having de- 
posited his record of the war with the president, 
obtained a prominent civil office in connection 
with Wellington’s government, married one of his 
friend’s sisters, and took her with him to his new 
home. But he yet retained the habits of a writer, 
and some of his histories are standard works. 

The armies of occupation were kept active and 
busy suppressing riots and incipient rebellions dur- 
ing the first five years of enforced rule. Then the 
influences of education and new habits began to 
be felt and the calls for military aid became less 
frequent. The armies were gradually reduced as 
the local police grew stronger and local bcdies of 
militia were organized similar to the forces in all 
the allied states. At the end of twenty-five years 
the general army was entirely withdrawn, its place 
being filled by the local forces, recruited partly 
from loyal natives, but composed for the most 


1 62 


THE LAST WAR 


part of immigrants and recruits drawn from the 
civilized countries. By this time the more en- 
lightened portion of the native population had 
experienced the benefits of the new customs and 
had become their most zealous supporters. 

The last great battle fought in the world oc- 
curred on the 1st day of November, A. D., 2565. 
Exactly thirty-five years thereafter occurred the 
passage of a resolution submitting the question of 
a federal union, embracing the whole world, and a 
constitution for such, to the vote of the peoples of 
all the countries of the world. The resolution was 
adopted by every nation, including the people of 
the conquered dominions who had qualifications 
to vote. Thirty days later a national election was 
held under the new constitution, for officers, froin 
president down to congressmen. The electors 
chosen by this vote met and chose Arthur Welling- 
ton president of the United States of the World, 
and on the 1st day of January, A. D., 2600, the 
new administration went into power amid such 
rejoicings as the world had never seen. 

For the dream of the ages had been realized and 
peace assured to the human race forever. 


THE END 


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